Blooms And Decays

as long as you smile and nod, people are satisfied. it’s just to show that you are nice and there with good intentions. we’re small in a big world and have to rely on other people to be decent to us. so we do our little human dance to each other to say, “i’m not here to hurt you. here’s something we have in common, like the weather or sports or itchy sweaters, so we both know we’re on the same team. we both agree on a basic fact, like that it is rainy or that being itchy is uncomfortable, and this proves we can get along. i’m being light-hearted and non-threatening right now.”

small talk isn’t to get to know a person. it’s just a greeting to affirm you’re buddies in the universe.

“This is the beautiful Nzuri - one of the 6 sub-adult Topi Boys in the Maasai Mara. I have nicknamed him ‘Curly’ because he has the most beautiful curly mane. He is going to be even more stunning when that mane of his is fully grown.

We found him lying on this mound right next to a small river crossing before sunrise one morning, and were able to position the car so that we were below him, to pick up some of the colours in the dawn.”