Riviersonderend, Somewhere in the heart of Cape mountains . . . Options

[Thoth]

Black trees drink from black water,

mute shadows shroud ancient shores.

Tiny lights dart between the sleeping lilies;

beckon us to tarry, to listen to their secrets.

Silver droplets off my paddle

punch wormholes on the tapestry of space;

fluid circles where mercurial stars dance

to the rippling rhythms of eternity.


Protecting the stillness,

dark sombre mountains brood their fate.

And the sky?

Ah, the sky roars

with the cataclysm of a billion blazing suns.





Riviersonderend (Never-ending River) begins high on the slopes of Sneeukop in the Hottentot’s Holland mountains of the of the Cape hinterland. It meanders east through a scenic valley for over a hundred miles until near Swellendam, it joins the Bree flowing south to the sea. Midway, lies the quaint village that takes its name from this mystic river which seemed endless to the ancient Khoikhoi people who once resided here.



© WW Schwim 18 June 2012

[Larry]

Hi Wally,

I thought this beautiful shot deserved a sonnet to go with your prose. Here 'tis...

Sonderend

Prometheus’ fell sword descended, pared
black walls of granite tiers; now cloven slag
that mark its passage. Dying embers flared
from blade to stellar dust; an opaque flag
which drapes the heaven’s glow in specters’ shroud.
Green fertile river valley… barren waste
with muddied stream; once mighty river cowed
to never ending trickle. Merest taste
of what the ancients found; primeval flow
who’s voice had roared into forever’s ear.
It whispers now. Fearing another blow
might end its trek. Old footprints disappear
beneath the scrub and rocks that were its bed.
Another mighty river, damned and dead.


Larry

[Psyche]

What a beautiful poem, Wally! I like your word usage, it's as powerful as the scene it describes. Impressive pictures...

Protecting the stillness,

dark sombre mountains brood their fate.

And the sky?

Ah, the sky roars

with the cataclysm of a billion blazing suns.

I absolutely love these lines; the contrast between the enormous, dark mountains and the light of a billion blazing suns is stupendous.

Is it really a great river reduced to a stream, or do the changing seasons make it sometimes a torrent, and at other times a trickle? I hope it hasn't been affected by some hydroelectric dam built somewhere upstream?

As I don't think you want or need any crits, perhaps you could explain a little more about this area you've written such beautiful verses on.

Hugs,
Syl***

[Thoth]

Dear Larry,

An accurate, intiutive take on the graphic, and a fine sonnet too. I love the image of Prometheus’ sword cleaving the mountain at the time of creation. That closing couplet is like the the clap of doom!! Very powerful! Thank you.
Cheers,

Wally

[Thoth]

Dear Syl,
Yes the river is in fact dammed below the mountains creating a massive reservoir called Theewaterskloof which is Cape Town’s main water supply. The river never floods anymore and the valley below is still with willow trees, water lilies and hyacinths invading the meandering tranquil pools. The sky still roars on a clear summer night as I’m sure it does in your beloved Patagonia.

Hugz

Wal

[Psyche]

Dear Syl,

Yes the river is in fact dammed below the mountains creating a massive reservoir called Theewaterskloof which is Cape Town’s main water supply. The river never floods anymore and the valley below is still with willow trees, water lilies and hyacinths invading the meandering tranquil pools. The sky still roars on a clear summer night as I’m sure it does in your beloved Patagonia. <<<<<

<<<<<I'm relieved that the dam has been carefully designed, no damage caused.
As for Patagonia, I suppose the sky still roars on a clear summer night, and the sun shines, but the massive destruction of vegetation has created enormous areas of desertification.
Open mine projects get the go-ahead coz they create jobs for a few years, as well as fill corrupt local governors' pockets with $$$$. Arsenic is still being used, as well as other elements dangerous to people's health. Nobody cares, except the poor local people, who're not stupid, but have been battered by police in recent months.
Argentina is again under a dictatorship. I never thought I'd live to see another one, but it's with us, closing us in rather like the older Cuba. Cuba is opening up a little nowadays, even has dialogue with Obama. The people elected our present rulers, but now our "Kween Kristina" is in full power and intending to tweak the Constitution so as to sit on an eternal throne.
Hope you're fine, Wally!!!

Hugz from across the pond.

Hugz

Wal