Tizi n Tishka, of a difficult past

These mountains refuse to be romanticised. The faces are ringed like potatoes shaved by a thin peeler. It is clear that they decided against shedding tufts of yellow flowers not for the sake of poets turning them into miracles. They are hard faced, firmly defended against romantic metaphors, like: no photos please.

Against the half-hearted red slopes, there are sheeps grazing on greens only animal instincts can find. Standing still, they adorn the mountain like rocks. Against the crisp sky, these mountains drew a hard line stance. In matters of principle, stand like a rock; perhaps this was what it meant. And against the blue sky, there are birds circling and buffeted by the hot air. They hang so still almost like black dizzying spots upon standing.