When we asked why he had waved us on, he said he hadn't. He had waved us back. Then he closed the trail. He told us how every leaf, every piece of bark, keeps his world alive. The bush, he said, gives people everything they need, including medicine and teeth cleaner and aphrodisiacs and direction.
Termite hills lean west.
While we listened, and watched, the leopard slowly stretched out of the sunlight, padded to the tree, climbed it, and reclaimed its impala. There Is Death read poetry, and the leopard ate. The Delta is home to Africa's major predators, which are always on the lookout for antelope. All rights reserved.