Lesser Forms Of Batman

I have a lot on my mind, a lot to write about and I hope I can maintain focus to write a single entry, though every ounce of me wants to write several.

Thursday night, before I left on my weekend trip, (which will absolutely be written about, but as I said, I must stay on track.) I went for a late night walk. Getting out at 12:30 a.m. every day usually makes late night walks a relatively common event for me, but over the last few months, I have been taking them alone. It is mostly due to opposing schedules of friends and what not, you know, the price of growing up and becoming responsible. It has also partially been my own doing, I seldom even try to invite others on my night excursions. I have become fond of the darkness, scouring the night, feeling akin to Batman, looking for purpose and something bigger than myself.

Some nights, I even find myself having to be a hero, I have helped people in need while walking through the night. My little suburban area is no Gotham City, but it is still my home and my world, if I can help, I will.

The night is peaceful and lonely, profound and brave, things I feel I can relate to, things I hold dear. That Thursday night however, I did not wander alone, nor did I wander in search of meaning or purpose. I traveled through the night with a youthful heart, seeking fun and adventure, the things I used to find around every corner. The things that seem to get stripped away from you as the charges of adult life pile ever more frequently into your lap.

I was immediately surprised by my companion's willingness to venture through rough terrain and I was, for the first time, extremely glad about the existence of cell phone apps. Apparently, phones have a "flashlight" app now and it came in rather handy, though I feel like the last person in the world to know of such things.

We traveled to one of my favorite spots, a little known area that is often a bit frightening, especially to the fairer sex. My companion however, did not hesitate at all, we ventured into a dark concrete tunnel with water running through it. She did not hesitate at all, walking straight through the water, even I remained on the sides of the tunnel, but for her it was all or nothing.

After a bit more tunnel walking, we had to return to the open air of the night. The woods around us were filled with downed trees from the recent storm and droves of weeds ready to plant their burrs upon us. We made it out and though my companion was covered in the green burrs, literally covered, she took it in stride, without a care, just enjoying the night and the adventure. It was the same attitude you see in kids, the kind of carefree, let it all roll of your back sort of thing.

I won't go through the entire night, but suffice it to say we ended up sitting on a rock in the middle of a creek, letting our imaginations get the best of us. As I kid, I used to be able to imagine things so clearly, that I would have sworn they were real. I think most of us could do that as children. Somewhere though, between school and the daily grind of life and responsibility, we lose that ever important skill of imagination. We still have it, but it becomes less potent. We can no longer convince ourselves of things, we are too wise, we "know better."

That night though, that night, rebooted my imagination and together we had ourselves convinced of things that we otherwise knew couldn't be real. It was fantastic, wielding the power of imagination again, as an adult. I attribute much of it to my companion and her amazing ability to just exist in the moment, but ultimately, it was a collective experience.

It was perhaps one of the most incredible nights I have had in a long time, but this is not a tale of Batman finding love. The story ended with a smile and a goodnight, a nearly perfect ending to a nearly perfect night, but Batman still finds himself alone.

Since then, I have once again resumed my travels through the night alone. Searching for answers, friendship, companions and anyone who may need my help. Go on about your lives and do the things you feel you must, a lesser form of Batman is watching the homestead and all will be well when you return.