On my way home to Melbourne I camp in a hard to get to place. My four wheel drive loses a mud flap, and paints itself with mud. I get to the creek, and set myself up in twenty minutes. It takes two hours for my emotional intelligence to set up but by dusk I am comfortable and look into the fire as the creek speaks it watery vowels.
I put in a fishing line with a piece of cheddar cheese as bait. In the fire I bake a sweet potato and in my van I heat baked beans. Melted butter and pepper meld the combination and as I drink red wine I say:
"I'm a lucky man, I'm a lucky man." Then I say, " Are you not entertained?" I snort at myself, slightly drunk and say the Gladiator catch phrase over and over finding myself very entertaining.
The creek gurgles, the fire whispers. Through the trees above the stars are bright. I think of simple things.
"It's the simple things that make us happy." I say very loud, knowing I am holding court to myself.
The rod is suddenly dragged from its position, I reel in an eel, thick and arm length. I could eat it, I should eat it!
"Don't kill." I murmur and release the ancient animal back into Belli Creek.
