Wednesday, June 10, 2009

At The Edge

Onake Abbe, Agumbe.

I sat on a rock with my feet dangling dizzyingly high above the dive pool. Beside me, the water rippled around my fingers and dove unhesitating over the edge. The wind gently blew the cool spray back into my face as I looked over the rain-forest far below. Behind me, the path wound through the dense, dark forest of pit vipers and leeches that I hope will deter many a monsoon trekker.

I sat on the rock and dreamed. I dreamed I was an eagle, soaring unbounded over giant trees and crystal streams. And I despaired in my heart for I knew that my being there was a sign that man was at the doorstep.

I'd rather be a forest than a street. Yes, I would. If I could, I surely would.
- Simon & Garfunkel (El Condor Pasa)

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Beautiful words that describe a very beautiful place and the experience was just as beautiful to be there...But,I agree when you say " And I despaired in my heart for I knew that my being there was a sign that man was at the doorstep."

Anonymous said...

mmm...reminds me of the poem 'The Eagle' by Lord Alfred Tennyson

He clasps the crag with crooked hands;
Close to the sun in lonely lands,
Ringed with the azure world, he stands.

The wrinkled sea beneath him crawls:
He watches from his mountain walls,
And like a thunderbolt he falls

- muchly

EnGeetham aka "My Song!" said...

You probably want to be the sparrow than a snail too !

I envy you and your travels !

En Chiang said...

@anon: thank you for the company!

@muchly: thanks for the 'The Eagle'. what a picture is paints!

@engeetham: I'd like to be a sparrow AND a snail :-)

Atticus said...

I see the words Agumbe and am startled by the ferocity of the memories that flood back. It was beautiful and I envy your return to it.