Indelible
not pine or ash or some North American tree
a tropical smoke smokier than smoke–
permeates my skin, my hair, my soul
Hard red dirt
turns everything a shade of orange
but resists the probing roots of all but the hardiest
Trees looking like broken umbrellas
Baobabs sleekly reaching for the sky roots in the air
Banyans searching for the earth
Palms pound coconuts to the ground or give directions home
Mango trees straight out of every child’s tree drawing
Bright colors on dark skin
fingers floating across cloth
flowers better left in the ground than captured for a vase
Bats pinging
Djembes keep the rythm of the night
while fire crickets threaten sanity
and ceiling fans purring and whirring invite sleep
I know my own version of what you’re talking about
(This was my response—with some minor modifications— to this post at A Gypsy Mama today. If you were ever looking for a new blog to read, go here.)
photo courtesy of longwayround/Luke and Kate Bosman
10 Responses to “Indelible”