The puppies nip at my feet as they slide cross the floor, gliding like sparrows as they race to my door. The excitement is over they've said what they say; the pups sprint down the trail and find elsewhere to play. A foul howl comes from the hen; her egg's been stolen, once again. The fire is roaring the oil is hot; I look on with excitement as the egg hits the pot. I look on the table and see what I've got but breakfasts complete and bound to hit the spot. As I pour from the kettle water steams with fury. This green tea I've got shall heat me in a hurry. With elegance and style Yamaayo darts through the door to hop on the bus that leads to the store. I find the hut empty, which I now call my home and realize this morning I'll drink tea alone.
The time or breakfast has come and passed; now I must prepare for 8 hours of class. It's a brain bending puzzle to fit my bike through the door. But its necessity is so great I will struggle some more. A glistening helmet of red white and blue will protect my noggin no matter what I bike through. A stroke on the shoulder from my map on the wall, show countries where friends live some big and some small.
With a brush of the teeth and a splash of the face I set off down the dusty trail at a blistering pace.
The ground is parched, the temperature rising, I will soon find the days heat overwhelmingly surprising. The bananas sway as the kids and goats scream when I ask myself “Is this real life, or some fantastical dream?" AIDS awareness is the topic tidy I can only imagine the comments they'll say. Off in the distance a sweet guitar sings, as the bell on a bike abrasively rings. Back in the meeting peoples eyes now roll as, as some off topic story begins to stroll. As I sit in the shade my attention will faded from this presentation which was diligently made. To a tree of purple with a spectacular hue a color in nature I though no plant could spew.
As break time comes round I follow the sound till that lonesome soul with the guitar is found. With a rush of excitement sweet songs are played, like ash in the air soft words are sprayed. With a tick and a tock time drools off the clock, as the man with a tie proceeds with his talk. Some jokes were made some smiles displayed, but at the end of the day we all learned about AIDS. With unbearable heat the crowd sweats to the feet, and hopes for no questions he needs to repeat. The speaker is done cheers rise to the sun the trainees will leave, teachers among.
For now we are free to do as we please. However, my appetite I need to appease. I ride to the market for soda food surly their consumption will better my mood. Welcomes extend like new sprouting leaves, as I ask for a Coke and make sure to say please. I ask in their language they laugh when I do, as if the white man who knows Bemba is some hysterical joke. As we talk some more, the laughter reduces. Looks like I'll learn this language with out too many bumps and bruises.
As the sun sinks down like syrup in water goes a sigh of relief as I'll not get hotter. I hop on the bike and wander the trail, and look forward to home where I can bathe from a pail. One pup jumps as I arrive to my home the other is still, stiff as a gnome. For the heat has got him he'll breathe no more air. Now there is one when once was a pair. Like millions of years the sun disappears in a celestial canvas, vivid with smears. Smears of orange, smears of red though not for long, as soon the mom will be high over head. The stars are out and continue to twinkle. While I spread salt on my food though only a sprinkle.
The meal is delicious and constructed with love, but I ate too much and just stare straight above. I return to my room to gather my thoughts look down at my jeans and note some new spots. I reflect on the day and decipher the way which memories will fade and which will stay. Now my eyes grow heavy so my mind can play and wait again for the breeze to wander its way.
