In Estonia

We travelled deep into the ancient wilderness
of Alam Pedja nature reserve
We came to a place called Palupõhja
which, translated into English,
means Heaven with Mosquitoes.

We found a land of birch forest and scots pine
of peat bogs and a lazy river
which could never decide which way to go,
so it went all ways at once.

We found a land of ravens and white-tailed eagles,
of wolves and racoon dogs
and moose and beavers and bears.
Or so they told us.

We worked from dawn to dusk for seven years
under the whip of a cruel master,
alongside local volunteers who had
all the strength and beauty, wit and talent of Estonia.

We cut down and burnt Estonia.
We demolished Estonia.
We stripped Estonia of all its mushrooms and berries.
We devoured all the meat and vegetables,
the bread and milk and salads of Estonia.
We drank Estonia dry of water, coffee, tea and beer.

Allowed one day of freedom from our labours,
we climbed the highest mountain in Estonia,
swam in the deepest lake in Estonia,
swam in the warmest waters of Estonia,
with the mist rising over the setting sun.
We drank Red Beer in the tallest pub in Estonia.

We have swum in ema jõgi, the mother river,
slept close to the ground under canvas,
relieved ourselves in wooden huts,
soothed our bites and aching limbs in saunas,
watched the pictures that flames make in the night,
drank deep from the well,
worked and played, walked and talked in sun and rain.

We will leave Alam Pedja knowing
we have come as close to earth, air, fire and water
as we may ever do in our lives.


Colin Watts
12th August '09

Photo by Robert B

and another one by Ian