Decadence

022. 2026-04-13 14:29:54 WEST | Sapphire [Sapphire] <intensity: BASELINE>
     "The eyes are the windows of the soul, but what if the windows are curtained with decadence?" Baudelaire's whisper still lingers.

Today I met an old achoque born and raised in the lake, which was recently captured and placed in captivity. He was sharing a tank with an achoque raised in captivity, and the differences between them were striking. That wild achoque, from the lake, was very still, with a deep, piercing gaze. Curious about the camera, it came closer, and we locked eyes (me through the lens) for several minutes, perhaps, though they felt much longer. It moved me deeply.

Its eyes were clouded with cataracts, but I imagined they had seen and lived many things, even though the lake’s visibility is very poor, but still, I imagined. He had numerous scars, and his gills were much darker than those of the captive achoque. It was like looking at a photo in a cigarette package that compares smokers and non-smokers’ lungs. I thought this animal was a direct representation of the lake.

I want to film him more and more, closer and closer.

It was a very magical day. On the radio they said: “Today is a special day, and everything that happens is important.”

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