Leviathian by Johan Conradie
Early morning frost clinging to my wading boots, I stand in a canyon, surrounded by red-brown rock, I am alone, utterly alone, with only the cry of a baboon, on the rock face somewhere high above, and the inner whisper of my being to guide me. I stand amidst the green of early spring, the water, crystal clear, speaks to me softly and gentle, as always. I listen without concentration, and hear the rambles of an old wise man, that is the river. My senses sharpen, the hunter always alert. I look up to an eerie cave, and wonder will I be hunter or hunted today ? The leopard is always wondering at dusk A passing thought…- The river speaks, and I listen, to the twirling waters where the fallen tree, meets its match. The surface twirl and tumble, small bubbles, briefly alive, only to disappear as sudden. Entranced by nature, I lift my rod and cast, into the whirlpool of anticipation. A single act that is perfection. The fly glides onto the surface, and is carried forward by the current, into the bubbling, whirling holding water. I wait… And then I see him rise, I loose my breath, my heart stops. The gleaming jaws open, and devour the feathers that deceive. It dives, and the river is alive… Backing gone, I am lost, I am lost !!! I jump into the icy waters and give chase… In his domain I am now, in his domain. An hour we give and an hour we take, then somewhere down the stream he turns to admit his ultimate defeat Today I loose my life he thinks… I reel him closer. The huge kyped jaw, wide open as he comes closer to, embracing hands. I lift him with respect and care I lift him. Our eyes lock, as he leans against my wader. For moments we just stand there in the dusk, of a new glorious morning, I am stunned, and cannot move, mesmerized by the utmost beauty of this old gentleman of the river. Once again our eyes lock, and then with a mighty wisp of his tail he is back in his domain. He turns and slowly swims past me, having made his peace. We leave each other with mutual respect I know his time has passed, and if he lives out the year, he will be lucky, let him live it out at his own pace… Farewell my friend, farewell …