Sun drenched gold, amidst the view
On a river at even in Kakadu.
Crocodiles rough, in ripples adrift
Glide on slow for attack is swift.
A lone fisher stands, tall without fear
Adroit in the shallows beak as a spear.
Day comes down, the waters teaming
With movement and calls, feeding and preening.
The fisher patient, lands the prey
Clenched in the bill and on display.
Sea eagle hapless, failing its best
Challenges the fisher to feed a full nest.
Mighty fisher stands, wide wings repel
Drops and regains the catch, eagle power to dispel.
Again the eagle advances, but staunch the fisher holds through
Awash in burnt ochre light, victorious is the jabiru.
Note: Written 20/12/2003 from an observation made at the East Alligator River in Kakadu, NT Australia on a holiday in August 1997.
This is spell binding... I actually held my breath as I followed through your picturesque story of an event time and place that only a few could wish to witness and treasure... A wonderfully descriptive work.., thank you Karen
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
You made me feel I was there :)