THE MOMENT OF PLEASURE One day as I was walking down a vooded path, I came upon a small patch of wild violets neatly grouped on the side of the path as though waiting for a parade to pass. They nodded at me as I approached. They nodded at me as I came to stand in front of them. I bent down to see them closer. They nodded again. Their leaves were shiny and faintly that were beautiful. They waved faintly at me. The blossoms themselves were vivid, soft, bright purple. A little yellow garnished their middles like small gold pins at their throats. They giggled and quivered. They nodded. Their sweet perfume began to diffuse itself faintly into my nostrils. It was soft, flowery, and woodsy. It was a clear, springy, damp odor. It came to me more clearly as the sun beamed an even larger smile for an instant and the wind chuckled softly to itself. The violets nodded, waved, and giggled again. I sat observing 8 then for a moment and they sat quietly observing me too. This moment of intoxicating pleasure lasted but a second or two. Then I straightened up to go on. The violets nodded and waved vigorously. I slowly started on. They nodded slowly. Then I turned and went on, leaving them to wait for the rest of the imaginary parade they were waiting for. They were nodding. by Ardis Vettlin 9