Riverlation

 I climb out of the river dripping and, warm sun on my back, watch the others splashing, laughing and swinging off a rope. A young boy stands knee-deep in the water in front of me. He is motionless, saying nothing.

His face is calm, angelic, his look one of wonder and waiting. I meet his eyes. They are fixed on my face. I sense that he sees deep into my soul, telling me there's nothing in this world to worry about and that if I wait and listen all will be revealed to me.

We remain like this for some seconds before he smiles, turns and dives beneath the surface of the water. As I watch him swim away I'm overcome by a warm, calm, secure feeling as if I'd just been blessed or anointed.

I feel the warmth on my skin again and turn my face to the sky. Something touches me, and it's then that I know.

A heavy green glob of snot is dangling from my left nostril.

© Owen Smith 1997