Kariba Moods

July 19 Gache Gache estuary: ‘ .. is nestled at the foot of the Matusadonna, now blue-brown in the heat-haze. A light breeze, teasing the water into sun-touched jewels, lightly splashed the air with cool. Jacanas and crakes hopped on the weeds feeding, probing the plants for insects. It was quiet, heat-induced quiet, except for the squawking of the hornbills and the occasional territorial piercing of a fish eagle. Baobabs, ancient sentinels, kept watch over the valley.
There was a sharp crack from the opposite bank, a branch breaking. An elephant was feeding. I searched the opposite bank, but there was no movement, no sound, then I caught a glimpse of grey …….’

Katete

‘The water shimmers, sun-touched jewels dancing to the tune of the wind, stretching to the distant hills of Zambia, hills etched in shades of blue. The wind has slowed to a breeze, barely stirring the mopanes in their colours of green. Waves are still lapping the shore, but more gentle and soothing now, not the wind-whipped fury of earlier.’

Ume River

In the bays that checker the shore herons hunt in their pose, motionless, in ambush and impalas are alert to the waters edge disturb complaining plovers. There’ll be buffalo and elephants wading and splashing and a fish eagle calling across the bay.
Sentinels rise out the water from another time. Once green, before the water rose, they are now drowned, but alive in this new wilderness.
Spent storm clouds, some black some a sun-brushed gold, mingle in the sky with patches of blue on white. Then the evening calls.

Sengwa River – evening

Human voices echo in silence
In the silence beyond the wilderness calls
The wind has stilled
Rippled silhouettes in evening colours
Are splashed on the calming surface
And the shoreline, etched in gold,
Is touched in shades of red and green.

Copyright @ Leigh Kemp 2004