No.28

An ancient moon sits atop the sky,
throwing light as brightly as the day it was born.
Close by, stars cluster,
eager to add their glimmer.
Silhouettes of palms
and banana trees
work like shadow puppets,
illustrating the foreignness of the scene.
A chorus of insects and frogs
and the low voices of mandinka conversation
are punctuated by distant drumming.
Still the heat clings to the earth.
But a soft night-time breeze
- barely flowing over your skin like silk -
eases away the travails of the day.

No.27

It is madness
says reason

It is unhappiness
says caution

It is nothing but pain
says fear

It has no future
says cynicism

It is ridiculous
says pride

It is foolish
says insight

It is impossible
says experience

It is what it is,
says love.