My African Adventure

The sun scorches the sacred ground

Where mankind drew its first breath

The river searches for the sea

Blistering and parched

Impala and wildebeest huddle close

Seeking shade from the sweltering sun

Herds of zebra graze along the Savannah plain

A soft warm breeze ripples through the long grass

I cruise along the dusty gravel road

Windows rolled down

My eyes exploring the trees and underbrush

Eager to find signs of life or life itself

Wishing for a leopard lying in a tree

Or a pride of lions feasting on a recent kill

I spot warthogs wallowing in a mud puddle

A waterbuck observes curiously

Broken branches litter the road ahead

My senses on high alert

Aware of only one creature

That destroys trees with such ease

The road curves around a large baobab tree

Its engraved trunk larger than my vehicle

The path ahead obscured

Proceeding with caution, I orbit the tree

Long ivory tusks and beady black eyes

On guard and vigilant greet me

Head shaking side to size, he sizes me up

I am a threat

His ears start to flap

His movements a series of jerks and violent shrugs

He raises his powerful trunk and trumpets his warning

I shift my vehicle into reverse heeding his war cry

I am too slow

My heart hammers in my chest

I hear the blood rushing through my veins

He charges

The earth quakes beneath his giant feet

My vehicle shudders with each pounding step

I see a flash of grey and white as he thunders towards me

My vehicle slips off the side of the road

My stomach drops

My tires spin failing to find traction

A panicked scream escapes my lips

Fear paralyzes me

Instinct kicks in and my body moves

The desire to live overpowering my fear

I slam on the gas and my vehicle finds purchase

In a puff of smoke and dust, my vehicle lurches forward

I feel the earth still shaking

Closer and closer

Each stride the length of my vehicle

Closer and closer

He is right behind me

My foot pushes the peddle harder

My vehicle vibrates and growls in protest

Just a bit farther

I will my stuttering vehicle forward

Praying it won’t break down again

I watch the speedometer falter

Another deafening trumpet resonates through the air

A quick glance into my rearview mirror

He slows, head shaking and ears flapping wildly

My retreat

His victory

As the distance between us increases

My heart rate slowly returns to normal

Grateful to be alive

I spend the remainder of the drive

Reminded of my place in the ecosystem

Reminded of which species is truely

the King of the Beasts

This is their world

We are mere visitors.