Interesting, Exciting, Humbling
On the vast plains of Africa mystical smoke arises one sees with the naked eye from miles away, beckoning one to find the source through long bent golden grasses with the odd squat trees, a place of solitude where animals roam free.
Awe stuck upon sighting this breathtaking fault in the earth where water drops into a gorge thrusting water water down the gully. Scarce commodity in Africa runs wild dropping approximately 100 meters below into gaping jaws, tumbling forcefully along, lifeblood to all along it's winding route with natural forests hugging the sides close to the waters edge.
First visiting aged ten exhilarated by the energetic water flowing, walking along the precipice before safety was introduced, a place to watch raging tantrum, much like many young would see such an inspiring region, run free, run fast, life is fun.
Returning a deep desire to experience once again, how did it affect me aged fifty-one, I would not hesitate to say humbling! Seen through eyes with additional years under the belt, realization hits home how small, insignificant we are standing face to face .
Take time to reflect untamed transcendental nature of life, the deafening roar, earth vibrating with movement, droplets of mist caressing your face like gentle angels of those who have gone before, a sacred place to be respected and be respectful.
We are nothing in the grand scheme of things, it's a humbling experience where I felt angels and demons could fight/play together.
Rainbows appear at a whim, make a wish, this reminds you how fickle each individual is, yet all is beautiful perfection who would argue?
Shimmering expanse,
Mercurial waves spark,
Sheer water, rolling en masse,
Hauling, scooping, depositing,
Looping, splashing, endearing.
Frightening, magnetic beauty.
Suddenly!
She breaks into an escarpment,
A lonesome, thunderous cry.
Mighty fall; water frays into a vail.
White lace hides stack rock,
Escaping droplets mimic a rain forest.
Her dominance surpasses life;
Deafening sound, a fractured flow,
Tiny droplets turn into mist;
Rainbows sprout everywhere,
Trade appreciation for colour.
Heavens bow overhead,
A column of mist lifts skyward;
Soft cotton wool clouds,
Eclipse the river's spirit to her communion.
Gigantic ephemeral, misty statue, defies proportion.
Boats, log troughs, yachts,
Toy on the dazzling waves;
Cameras clicking and flitting.
Yoke-golden reflections at dusk
Assure her of the next dawn.
Sun/water romance intensifies at dusk.
Tired kudus, hares, cows
Elephants, elands, buffalos,
Zebras, impalas, monkeys,
Flock to the river for a drink; humans to celebrate her beauty.
The whistling, flitting, grunting,
Croaking, chirping, cooing,
Bellowing, trumpeting, quaking,
Preening, bathing; the spattering,
Kissing, hissing, the clicking - all this you are missing.
Wild fires stopped by her hips embarrassed;
Fierce battles, floods, she mocked;
Conquest, colonisation she knows;
Clumsy reign, tribal, racial vices,
Decades of rituals and rites,
Desertion and influxes; an inventory her tales.
Sacred goddess revered,
She wails, thunders, she whispers,
Granted warnings, guidance to her people,
Generations gone, drowned with the codes.
To defy time and terrible regimes,
She stands rejuvinated.
Mosi-oa-tunya
The smoke that thunders;
She sings her song of plenty, quietude, Optimism, despair, laughter, pain spirituality.
She knows it all,
Mystic.
All photography is my own using Canon Powershot or manipulated in GIMP. Any queries or requests please drop a comment below or make contact with me, have a wonderful day!
Thought for Today: "Two waterfalls do not hear each other." - African Proverb