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The Wild Life
Observations and Reflections on Africa's Wildlife
V -
The Talk
The talk in the evening is of the hunt; what was taken, what was missed; the sights and surprises of life
in the wild; lifecycles of the various plants and animals; hunting methods, hunting traditions and of course, firearms. The
talk expands to life and life experiences; raising children, work, building, ranching; families, friends, faith; even academics
and art.
Should the conversation turn to politics; brows furrow, pauses draw themselves out, and the silences
become apparent. The politics of Africa are too big for words, too complex; and driven by forces larger than man and nature
combined. There is much that must be decided - and no one big enough or wise enough to make the decisions. In spite of this,
politics does not overshadow life, as it does in urban America. Political rhetoric, so omnipresent and oppressive in America's
cities, has no substance in the wild. No one offers those simple solutions or clever slogans heard so often nere. No one is
that presumptuous, or ignorant.
Where people have the opportunity to experience life as it was meant to be experienced
- close to nature, there is little to opine about, much to learn, and even more to do and remember – and every bit of
it true and worthwhile. Political rhetoric thrives on the chaos that results where people are deprived of such life experiences,
and often forgets, ignores or dismisses the fact that we are part of the natural world, and entirely subject to its laws.
We can adapt to them, but we can not rewrite them.
Civilization must derive from the natural law, or it loses
all reason. In urban America, we have lost that connection. In Africa, the politics of the wilderness at times overrules the
politics of men and nations. Whichever way the balance leans, all sides pay a price - and the end is not in sight. Storm clouds
on the horizon cannot be turned back; and the dust of prior events settles only with time. In the meantime, we must reign
in our imaginations, and begin again to learn with our senses the lessons of nature. The time for living is now, as it is
always.
The talk comes back to life, and to the hunt. _________________________________________________________________ Next Page: Dust Devil
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