Unsmoke your Mind – Tim Jackson

In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with Davos. And the Word was Davos. In Davos was Growth. And without Growth was not anything made that was made –

A sudden jolt.

A screech of metal wheels on metal rail.

Was I asleep? Where am I?

Looking up I register a window. Beyond the cold glass lies an almost liquid darkness. A single light is shining somewhere impossibly high above us. A light that shineth in the darkness. And the darkness comprehends it not. And the passenger. Comprehends it not. My vision adjusts. Awareness returns. Black outlines texture the impenetrability of the night. Mountains! We are deep in the mountains.

The brakes release with a hiss. The wheels turn again. Metal on metal. A sign comes into view. And the Word was with Davos. More lights. More signs. And the Word was Davos. And then precipitously we have arrived. In Davos Platz.

The Promenade
Later than intended. Delayed by a rail strike through France. An engine failure in Zurich. But here we are at last. A gaggle of skiers and activists. Tired and ruffled. Trying to remember why we needed to travel by train. Why it was essential not to fly here. I believe. I’m not sure. I think it had something to do with not burning enough carbon to sustain a sub-Saharan household for an entire year.

Wearing our weariness lightly, a little too self-satisfied, we descend from the train. A sharpness of the air. A rush of breath. I pause to wind the scarf more tightly round my neck. A young man pushes past me. Skis balanced precariously on one shoulder. I move quickly to avoid their swaying tips. My foot slides on a thin layer of ice. A dusting of snow has fallen. The slopes will be perfect tomorrow. A moment’s envy. I’m not here to ski.

‘Herr Jackson?’