At the river bank I sat
On a cool evening, when the sun was near its home
Gazing at the flowing waters.
With an admiration that flooded my being with serenity
Lost in the this nature’s wonder
As filtered air calmed the nerves of my hairs.

How blue the waters were
As the fading sun glows over the deeps
With starry colors near that of a rainbow.
Then out of a sudden, a fish popped up the waters
To take in a floating straw of grain.
Oh! A flock of birds just flew by, each with a straw.

And my evening Fish got a gift
From a bird that attempted a tingling whistle
Soon, all the Birds were up on a tree by their nests.
And their whistling formed a beautiful melody
For the sharr-sharr-sharring harmony of the flowing waters
Yes, indeed my heart was naturalized.

My eyes were out in the air
Searching for the tree that hosted my evening birds
And soon, this search was distorted.
Two squealing squirrels appeared
Enjoying the fun of an evening chase on a palm tree
For in their moves was no fear of a hunter.

Not too long, a palm fruit dropped
Just a little walk to pick up the palm fruit;
I want to throw it over the waters and watch another fish jump up.
But behold, at my targeted place
A cracking cricket: Out of a hole it came,
Perhaps for an evening breeze.

Gazing with great zeal
A Puppy walked by in search of my evening cricket
That just retired to its home.
And since its prey was out of site
It took a gentle but hopeful walk away
I wondered where it came from and followed it some steps away.

Soon, it rested at the foot of a tree, gazing mildly
And I stretched my hands for a little play with it
Hei!..., A voice from the top of the tree;
It was a wine taper declimbing with a Calabash
“Bingo is mine!” he said
“It’s so innocent” I retorted and watched it go with its owner.

Back to the River bank
Walking through the green grasses
I saw a dimming light at a distant far.
Ah!, Darkness has fallen
When the light was close, it was a Man canoeing
He is a night Fisherman pedaling towards his net.

The Birds were now silent
My Squirrels asleep, gone Bingo’s Cricket made no sound
Even chants of the flowing waters offered some quiet.
The Magnum Silencium reminded me of a sleep in Bed
And when I turned to depart from this nature’s home
I wished a bed was close by.


By Edebo, J Oguche.
josephoguche@yahoo.com
+23480 662 046 96
+23470 565 051 68