Migrations

"Migrations" (haibun)


Facing the ocean with the afternoon growing old, I listlessly watch beyond this living, heaving sight for hours, until the sunlight burns through, turning into undulating yellow savanna for as far as I can see. Herds of wildebeests, co-mingling with zebra, their black and white stripes interchange with the sea of tall grass. They move toward the ancient riverbeds still yet to be engorged from distant storm clouds that won’t give up their precious cargo for another month.  Breezes come off the surf with the scent of a kill I hear out of range.

It's as if the entire curve of the earth from end to end has compressed into this singular moment.

dangling my legs
off the edge of a pier,
the casting of fishing lines
blurs into
passing migrations