Eva Jackson: 0056

Alone in Pidurangala

A millipede unfolded itself from my bag,
A mouse or squirrel hopped across the floor,
A treefrog sat gripping the toilet seat lid at night, and stared
At the visitor, before propelling itself
Against the opposite wall, maybe waiting for
Its colours to settle.
Sandlions pitted the edge of the forest;
Dry Zone forest.
Termites built mounds in tiny replica of the
Great fortress nearby, Sigiriya the rock citadel.
Birds began early and kept up the cry
Ants folded leaves into pavilions and
Held them there with sticky thread.