Hunting with Orion

It was a nice surprise to see Orion when we arrived in Namibia,
Although the image of the hunter plunging headlong with his sword into the night sky was odd.
A world upside-down.

But, regardless of angle, we had a friend in this new land.
A sun-loving celestial body who had joined us on our journey from frigid North America for more southerly pursuits.

Only in the southern hemisphere does Orion promise warmth and long days.
And he was true to his word.
Until, one night, we searched and realized we’d been left alone. No hunter to guard our night skies.

Winter. Planning evenings around when we could use the space heater or how long we could stand cold tile on our feet until escaping into piles of blankets.
A warm bed. A long winter with unfriendly stars.
Orion was hiding behind the sun and even the sun is shy during winter.

Last week, we looked up and realized our friend had returned.
The hunter had found us, and with him came warmth, rain, and longer days.

But we were like the houseguest who stops by to break your morning and then tells you she must leave because she has something much more important to do than to talk to you.
Orion was back. A reminder to us that we had to leave.
To apologize while walking backwards.

To travel north long after the birds have gone south.
To find ourselves in darkness and cold again.

But, still, with Orion.
Our connection between grassland and bushveld.
A messenger between worlds.

And so, we will sit in the cold and we will dream of summer.
We will dream of hunting with Orion.

--L. Powell, Otjiwarongo, Namibia