I stand staring from the porch at the city garden partially lit by streetlights, and my mind involuntarily drifts to another time... another porch... almost eighteen years ago.1
We're camping on a friend's farm on the edge of the Kalahari Desert. It is early morning, the eastern horizon hasn't started to lighten yet, and I sit under our canvas porch, while the rest of the family sleep peacefully. I cherish these few hours before sunrise, both for their coolness and serenity. It is already May, but the days are still scorching hot and autumn has yet to make its presence felt.2
The symphony of the night has not yet been completed, and the sounds of darkness are music to my ears. In the low surrounding bushes mice and rabbits and other small creatures scurry about, and I'm only slightly alarmed at the sudden swooshing of wings and a single squeak, as an owl flies off with another meal. If I listen very carefully between the chirping of crickets, I can hear the faraway howl of a jackal, and then another, and another. Two or three disgruntled barks sound from a few hundred yards away, and I can faintly distinguish the dark shadow of a clump of trees where a small troop of baboons come to sleep each night. I often hear them during the dark hours, and I ponder again whether they also talk and complain in their sleep.3
The sky above is lit by millions of diamonds and the teeniest sliver of a waning moon. Never before did I realize that the galaxy consisted of so many stars, and it seems I simply need to reach up to pick as many as I please, like grapes from a vine. The gentlest of breezes sighs softly through the leaves, carrying the aromas of nature like precious gifts. And as I sit spellbound and at peace with the world and myself, birds start twittering, tentatively at first, and then with growing volume and excitement, as a soft gray light begins to appear in the east, where earth meets sky.4
Soon the stars fade to nothing, the night creatures go into hiding and the day time dwellers awaken to greet the day. Not far away stands a Kudu bull, his regal head and curving antlers held proudly high, as he sniffs the air and looks out over his domain. Then he walks on, and three cows appear, as if from nowhere, to follow their leader. Not far behind them comes a herd of nine or ten Duiker, small and petite antelope, stopping now and then to nibble on dew fresh grass, on their way to a watering hole close by. In the trees the baboons awake with much noise and chatter, and they too set off in the same direction, playing like boisterous children all the way. The sky is now dotted with birds, and from the north a flock of Guinea Fowl fly in, and land in a plowed field, to start scrubbing and pecking for grubs and seeds, keeping up a continuous noisy calling among themselves. 5
The first rays of the sun touch the highest tree tops, inquisitively checking that all is as it should be, and then gradually cloaks all of the land in its golden glow. And the night is banished. To my left, from what seems to be simply a mound of earth, the Meerkats crawl out from their homes in the ground, yawning and stretching, almost human-like. They stand in rows on the higher ridges, upright on their hind legs, bellies turned towards the sun, basking in its warmth. In the bushes and the trees, the cicadas start their never ending high pitched, droning sound that will continue right through the day while the sun is shining, monotonous enough to drive a person to distraction.6
A gentle kick reminds me of the life growing inside me, and a mumbled call from a sleepy three year old tells me that I am needed. I rise from where I have welcomed another day, I stretch and yawn as the Meerkats did a few minutes ago, and I go inside, ready to face another glorious day.7
Author notes
Word Count - 698 words
I am very fortunate to be able to say that this is a real-life experience that I have written about here. The 'sleepy three year old' I mention in the last paragraph, is now a strapping young man that will be celebrating his 21st birthday on the 29th of January - Happy Birthday Merrigan!!! I love you! And the one that 'kicked' me ever so gently that morning is my beautiful 17 year old daughter, W1ldCh1ld - Love you lots, Baby!
What did you think? Please comment!
Comments
1 - 10 of 10
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It's so beautiful
Your choice of words baffled me, they were rich, full of life, and painted a beautiful picture. You have an amazing talent, I can't even find the words to describe.
No family for me on AP or SW. I think i would die if my fiance or my family ever actually read what i wrote. Some of it seems so childishly embarassing. I'll stop by and read a bit more when I can.
--SiN -
Thank you very much for this lovely comment, I really appreciate your kind words, wtchr. It's always nice to know that someone enjoys and appreciates my little ramblings as much as I enjoy writing them. I am sure though that I still have much to improve on, and I'm working on it.
Keep well. -
wtchrpr...4.5
I agree with the others...the images are great...but what I like best is what you don't say. You put the reader so at ease that we are there. You have no need to describe every minute detail...we see it, hear it, feel it. You seem so comfortable as you write that you make each word an old friend. I see that you have invited a critical review... this is about as rough on you as I can get. I am soooo envious of your wonderful talent. -
Thanks Yemassee for reading and commenting. It's good to hear from you again. As for W1ldch1ld, yes, the nick does pretty well describe her... and yes, she does tend to avoid me on AP
It's good to know that I am not the only one that feels 'avoided'... Yep, the whole 'family' is here... Page too.
And by the way, pass some of that famous Moxie this way... I could do with some right now.
Keep well friend.
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Very beautiful and skillfully done. This would make a nice introductory chapter to a longer work, it has that feel of foreshadowing later events.
Imagery, word choice, and all that good stuff made this a pleasure to read.
I didn't know you had a daughter on AP. Does W1ldch1ld really describe her, does she avoid you here? lol Sorry, I tend to think everyone's family is as dysfunctional as my own, lol. You're son is on here too...holy all in the family!
Well at least he isn't ashamed of mom, lol.
Sorry, too much Moxie.
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Very sweet and defined. I have 5 kids and it is like heaven to get that rememberence of what my body created into a beautiful piece from me. Such a lovely write. Two Thunbs Way up!!!!! pj's
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Have you ANY idea how homesick this made me???
The beautiful flowing words tellin a story I too have had but in a different area. I don't think many poeple here will know what a porch is though. maybe veranda may be a better word choice for this. Although for me it is exactly the right word. It holda so much value. LOL
Excellent dear friend.
Jan -
The imagery, as well as the details are breath taking.
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AWWWWWW, this is so beautiful!!!! I would have become jealous if I were female Well done mom!
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vivid...excellent write..
this was truley a great read.....you created such images in my mind with how you described this desert....hope you do well in the contest....check ya
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