Parched and cracked
an inflexible ground reflects
the heat skyward
Where the vulture’s wing-spread
casts a sharp shadow
that drifts under the bent air
A solitary man lopes along
spear held aloft, elevated
a !Kung warrior in search of food
a wife and child
mother and sister
wait and hope, patiently
The Kalahari sun rises
narrowing his shadow
Feet beat steadily,
slap to dust, slap
across the African dirt
The inner man runs chasing a gazelle
a humble event, but
his dreams are trapped
in the glazed despondency
of his eyes
In the distance, elephants,
dusty trunks swaying,
walk listlessly
westward
They keep some deep memory
of knowing water
a timeless compass
Patience and time
across the parched and cracked
earth
Wanderings and Reflections