Bushwalking

It’s been too long since I’ve been out in the bush. There’s something about standing in the middle of a jungle track and hearing nothing but the sounds of nature. It drives home the fact that you are part of it, and not a spectator.

That said, sometimes it would be nice to be just a spectator. There’s a lot of stuff out there that seemingly just wants to barb, swipe or maim you on a whim. In this part of the world, it’s more of the small things – for example, I imagine it’s a matter of time before someone discovers an Australian variety of ant that will knock out an entire football team with just one nip. Where I used to go walking in Malaysia, we at least had the privilege of seeing what was going to eat you.

Tiger, tiger, burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

I make it sound perilous, but it isn’t at all. The most deadly things I have come across so far are ticks and leeches. And bush cockroaches, which are pure evil.

When the stars threw down their spears,
And water’d heaven with their tears,
Did He smile His work to see?
Did He who made the lamb make thee?

Yes, I need to get out of town…