August 2016

Zambezi Valley August 2016

The shadows are lengthening again, the sun is lower in the sky, I stare out across the dusty landscape, looking at the Impala, and the eland grazing peacefully in the foreground on the fallen “Albida” pods .The haze creates a tinge of blue and purple on the distant tree line and there is an energy here, a pure feeling, one that is unaffected by the unrealistic and chaotic world we live in, this is a place where the soul feeds, where the feeling is one of completeness and it reaches  a place deep within you, creating strength and fortitude, and the ability to come back to reality.

Over the many years I have been here, like many before me I am sure – I have pondered the plight of the wild, I have witnessed many amazing things out here, birth and death, and more importantly begun to understood the incredible symbiosis that is nature. As an artist, living here with access to the Zambezi Valley, I view myself as one of the wealthiest people alive, there is a treasure trove of life and meaning here that is spiritual, a place to always settle the turbulent mind !

August is upon us again and as always has a truly different feeling to it, the end of the cold and the start of the new hot season perhaps.

This month has also always been a time of refection for me for many years now and with all the troubles and trials that our beloved country has been under, it has been hard to really keep perspective on life recently, and keeping the arrow pointed to true north has been a hard one

The Zambezi Valley has very strong meaning for many of us, known simply to many as the “Valley” it has become an almost spiritual retreat, most certainly for me and now sitting here looking at the beautiful light, there is a subconscious feeling that something is fading somewhere, something that has been so wonderful in our lives, there is a change in the energy here, I feel the deep connection with something not tangible but very strong.

Whilst August is iconic for us in that it is the month of many things in my family , birthdays , anniversaries some happy and some sad -today as I reflect here I think of Sim our friend , brother ,father ,husband and son  , eleven years ago you left us , there isn’t a day that goes by where you are not strong in my mind , now perhaps more than ever and as I contemplate all our family , I see you everywhere , your humor , that sparkle for life and most of all the bond that we always wanted between them all.

Perhaps it’s the time of the year, or maybe its other events that are in process currently – I feel you closer than usual – guiding and smiling. I see you in my mind in the shade of a Baobab looking out across the great sands of the Chewore River, watching as the lions sit quietly in the heat of the day -I see you guiding someone dear to us all through these moments of uncertainty that she feels, showing the way –leading as always – fly high like always my friend !

Will Maberly 2016

 

One man in a thousand, Solomon says,

Will stick more close than a brother.

And it's worth while seeking him half your days

If you find him before the other.

Nine hundred and ninety-nine depend

On what the world sees in you,

But the Thousandth man will stand your friend

With the whole round world against you.

'Tis neither promise nor prayer nor show

Will settle the finding for he.

Nine hundred and ninety-nine of 'em go

By your looks, or your acts, or your glory.

But if he finds you and you find him.

The rest of the world don't matter;

For the Thousandth Man will sink or swim

With you in any water.

You can use his purse with no more talk

Than he uses yours for his spendings,

And laugh and meet in your daily walk

As though there had been no lendings.

Nine hundred and ninety-nine of 'em call

For silver and gold in their dealings;

But the Thousandth Man he"s worth 'em all,

Because you can show him your feelings.

His wrong's your wrong, and his right's your right,

In season or out of season.

Stand up and back it in all men's sight --

With that for your only reason!

Nine hundred and ninety-nine can't bide

The shame or mocking or laughter,

But the Thousandth Man will stand by your side

To the gallows-foot -- and after!