I arrived before the land turned gold, the air cool, fragrant with the scent of wild things. Night sank slowly over Loisaba, vast and unbroken. With no cities near, the dark became luminous in its own way. The river murmured below, nightjars called, elephants shifted, and somewhere beyond, a kudu wrestled in the brush, antlers clashing in the dark. I climbed to my star bed, lantern swaying. The warriors faded into shadow, silent and watching. Curled in warmth, a hot water bottle nestled beneath the sheets, I sank beneath a veil of dreams. The sky unfurled—immense and brilliant. Stars scattered like silver ash, and for a moment, I floated among them. At dawn, hippos called from the river, deep-throated and ancient. Birds lifted the light with song, the day gently arriving. Here, time disappears. Nature surrounds you. And you dream wide awake. _____ ART THAT HONORS THE WILD deannadeshea.com © #DeannaDeShea