Perhaps it is the universal 'Om'. But whatever it is, it can only be heard in the earth's wild places, such as the Thelon River or the Zambezi. As I sit quietly beside the water, I easily forget which river the water belongs to. For though these two rivers are half a world apart, they have much in common. They share the same wildness, and perhaps the same spirits.
Rivers know no boundaries.
Max Finkelstein works with the Ottawa-based Heritage Rivers Program. He helped organize an expedition to the Thelon and Zambezi rivers in order to bring international attention to the need to recognize and protect them. Another version of this article appeared in UpHere magazine.