Overview

I spotted him coming out of the water, majestic, water dripping from his body. In his right-hand was his
surfing board held close and firm. His left hand moved back and forth as he began a soft jog onto the
shore. He started towards my direction. Every step felt like an earthquake. Time slowed down. A small
quiver on my lips, suddenly the air shifted and I could feel a chill coming on.

I write this from the comfort of my bench, outside the granary staring into a green, nourished landscape
stretching into the horizon curving its way up and down the slopes of the Aberdare ranges. In the distance,
Mt. Kenya rises to meet the golden evening sun. As though coming home from a day’s long labor, birds of
different species perch on trees, resting easy atop the extended branches. They watch the sun set, their soft
songs sweetly echoing in the golden light as though to call in the night.
I have often dreamed of the perfect getaway. Surrounded by luscious flora and fauna native to our African
continent. Perhaps standing in the bushes observing the lions in their habitat or maybe sharing my nuts
with the squirrels of the forest. The only creatures so far I have shared my food with are the chicken that
peck around our compound hoping for me to drop some of my rice on the ground
In my mind’s eye, I have walked among the beasts of the earth, ridden upon the elephants back, soared
with the birds even though I have no wings. More than once I have scaled the highest of Mt. Kilimanjaro
and kissed the love of my life upon its sturdy rocks, the world under our feet nothing dare come between
us.
Some nights I will dream of beaches.
Nothing beats the sight of a white sandy beach under the hot summer sun. Waves gently rise and fall in the
blue ocean, softly crashing onto the shore tired from all its travel. The sun sprinkles its shimmering lights
on the water. Far to the east, children’s laughter fills the air as they play with water and build castles in the
sand. Their parents lazily observe from the comfort of their seats under the shade of the palms. There are
no birds gliding in the air. The only thing flying high above the waters are the kites, few and far between
surfing on the kites are athletic men, bodies melting in the sun, strong men.
I spotted him coming out of the water, majestic, water dripping from his body. In his right-hand was his
surfing board held close and firm. His left hand moved back and forth as he began a soft jog onto the
shore. He started towards my direction. Every step felt like an earthquake. Time slowed down. A small
quiver on my lips, suddenly the air shifted and I could feel a chill coming on.
Halting right in front of me I felt like and ant as he stood tall blocking the sun’s rays, he was built like a
god. Poseidon or aqua man…without the massive beard. I wanted to speak, say something intelligent, ask
him to plant his firmed behind in the sand next to me. We could watch the waters and sit in silence if he
was next to me. I could only mumble unintelligible things, air seemed to be in short supply.
He gently tapped my shoulder, “time to go to work”, grrrrrrrrrr!!! Off goes my alarm clock. Out my
window of dreams fall my holiday fantasies.
Hello Monday.

WITER:  Ciku Maigua