river scene

A River Scene.

The river bank is overgrown with lush clumps of plants and bushes. Amidst the thick growth stand two large palm trees; their branches and broad leaves fanning out in the wind. They sway this way, and then that. Eternally swaying peacefully in the breeze. The day is hot and humid despite the presence of the wind.

The sun is setting over the river and on the eastern skyline. A bright yellow glow sending out streaks of orange and pink over the bluish sky as it sets. Birds fly low over the water, and occasionally one dives and swoops in the attempt to catch a minnow to feed on. Hippopotamus are wallowing in delight in the centre of the river, out in deep water. They sometimes blow out spouts of water, but are mostly quiet as their bulks float on the water. The dark river flows silently by as the sunset reflects in brilliant colours on the surface; yellow, orange and pink.

Not far from the bank two men are fishing in a small canoe, and their bodies stand out above the water in dark silhouette as they work. The one is bending as he is working the nets, and the other stands aft, steering the small fishing-craft. They labour away at the afternoons catch as the sun sets over the distant hills in the east.

The further shore is spread out in dark black and brown relief. The coastline runs ragged and disappears into the distant hills of the north-east. The river flows on serenely as the men on the canoe finish up their days work in the fading light of the sun. The water runs by quietly, and the jungle and its surroundings is alive with birdsong in the late afternoon. In the west the river disappears amongst a bend in the hills.

Night will fall soon, and tomorrow the men will be working at the fishing again as they do each day of their lives. Working on the dark, moving river underneath the brilliant, but soft, blue sky…

The End.

JP Brown.