Praising the river

 

Loch Achilty by Contin

Praising the river
or tempted by the Kelpie?

Wandering on the banks of Loch Achilty and loitering by Rogie Falls on the Black Water as it drops down from Loch Garve to join the River Contin, these two pieces of writing surfaced like salmon from the deep. For me these are both stories to be told: one is challenge and seduction...or actually they both are. One you maybe should resist and one you should rise to, like a trout to a mayfly....Enjoy!

THE KELPIE’S LURES

This water is so dark it hides its depth. A few sunken birch leaves gleam like a scattering of stolen pirate gold in the shallows but fade quickly down the sloping bank. Stretch out to pick them from that misleading depth. The first temptation.

 

The main current runs tea-brown and deadly, frothing autumn gold over rocks and rapids before relaxing into flowing breadth with a deceptive calm. A second temptation. But drop another birch leaf onto that flow and count the brief moments of its sail along that calm sweep.

 

These are kelpie waters: pools deep, dark and cold and endlessly enticing

 

The constant, hypnotic voices of rapid and fall numb your sense of safety and sensible behaviour. Stand here! Catch the spray. Stand there! A little closer. Closer still. Sit on this great, round rock. Dabble a bare foot in a wild jacuzzi.

 

Sound, movement and the sudden tranquillity of the pool below the falls draw you on, draw you in, into a wild embrace and a long kiss.

 

PRAISE SONG FOR A RIVER

There is a strong tradition in the Scottish Highlands of Bards writing praise songs for clan chiefs, heroic warriors and maybe anyone who would pay!  But this song/chant came to me in simple celebration, trying to find words to express the respect, admiration and simple loving delight I find in river and water bodies. 

Try speaking the words aloud and if you like the effect, speak it with a friend, or friend, try it as a round, change the words to suit the river, pool or bog you would like to salute!

Praise the river in its running.

Praise the falls in their tumbling.

Praise the water that shapes the rocks.

Praise the rocks that break the flow.

Praise the rapids for their song,

And the ripples for their silence.

Praise the slow reach for its grace.

Praise the pool’s mirror and a sky reflected

Praise the pool for the secrets it hides

 

Praise the osprey who watches

And the dipper who counts.

Praise the kingfisher’s speed

And the wagtail’s precision.

Praise stonefly and alder and caddis in their season.

Praise mayfly for their dancing

Praise creeping nymph and hidden mussel

And crayfish for their claws

Praise careful loach and silver roach and a minnow’s flicker

Praise willow and alder and more and 

more and more and

Praise the life that runs as the river runs

Praise the river that lives as its life flows

 

Praise the salmon who sews it all together, sea, river, burn and redd