With Us

"Even if you're not a seeker,

still, follow us, keep searching with us.
Even if you don't know how
to play and sing,
you'll become like us;
with us you'll start singing and dancing.

Even if you are Qarun, the richest of kings,
when you fall in love,
you'll become a beggar.
Though you are a sultan, like us you'll become a slave.

One candle of this gathering
is worth a hundred candles; it's light is as great.
Either you are alive or dead.
You'll come back to life with us.

Unbind your feet.
Show the rose garden---
start laughing with your whole body,
like a rose, like us.

Put on the mantle for a moment
and see the ones whose hearts are alive.
Then, throw out your satin dress
and cover yourself with a cloak, like us.

When a seed falls into the ground,
it germinates, grows, and becomes a tree:
if you understand these symbols,
you'll follow us, and fall to the ground with us.

God's Shams of Tabriz says
to the heart's bud,
"If your eyes are opened,
you'll see the things worth seeing."

-Rumi

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Notes from the bush

Kruger:
-the sounds of male lions growling while feasting on the corpse of a black rhino. a white rhino walks straight up to the scene on its way to the watering hole. it doesn't see well and is surprised when it suddenly realizes what is 10 feet ahead.
-the sound of canines raking against a giraffes skull tearing the flesh from its face.
-more lions eating a hippo... the baby wuldn't leave its mothers side... so they ate that one too.
-impala stuck to their necks in mud...struggling to free themselves.
-Sable antelope, greater kudo, steinbok, grey duikers, giraffe, elephants, zebra, wildebeest, nyala, vervets, chacma baboons, crocs, hippos, green tree snakes, kori bustards, bateluers, snake eagles, fish eagles, hamerkops, giant kingfishers.... etc.
-the sounds of elephants knocking down trees and hyenas at night.

Zambia:
Just arrived today and it is hot. Really really really hot. And beautiful. And hot. Election day... town is deserted. Riots yesterday. Hopefully no riots tomorrow. Outlook looks good.

Will update before leaving for Botswana.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

oooooooffffffffffwaaaaahhhhh


that's my lion sound for you.

loving the reports.

glad that you liked kruger - it really is a wonderful place! sounds like you had some great experiences (i never saw lion kills!).

stay safe and happy.