Ruaha in February

Storks parachute down

their landing cushioned

by seeping green earth, cool from rain

Tall grasses hide

lions asleep

given away by brisk flips of tails,

agitated in tsetse country

It’s soothing in the Acacias

Here bulls bathe and snorkel and spar

Young impalas frolic where baboons graze

A gymnogene taps incessant

at dead tree branches wherein an agama hides

Weavers display suspended from still-green nests

a female considers

Below them the flowing Ruaha

fringe pools greening with algae

Above, ibises in breeding burgundy mix in flight with open-billed storks

Satiated

In an arial array

against clouds precluding thunder.

The splendor of rainy season

                Un-penetrable to poacher on foot

                Hostile to feeble visitor.

Stacks of bough signal closed roads.

Springs and swamps are safe.

The sky breaks

Sending nightjars into orbit

Armoured crickets upon our feet

Kerosene lamps faint

Our ears exult as our mortal eyes fold

The bush concert attains surround sound.

 The penultimate of privileges.