Adventure

I wake to the bright clear light

through the walls of the tent, palace 

best describes  this insubstantial building 

 I stretch in the soft comfort of my bed

 

The air smells warm, overlaid by dust and earth 

there is a cacophony of noise

chirruping crickets 

competing with the soft and raucous sounds of birds

 

I listen for the sound of animals in the bush

they were active last night but now strangely silent

there is the faint clink of pans and crockery  from the cooks

My stomach rumbles, time to start my day of adventure

 

I get up, my feet  caressed

by the animal skin rug and I pause

thinking of the night and the hyena’s jests

Still raising hairs on the back of my neck