He walked along the elevated wooden pathway, half a meter above the tropical muddy soil. He felt disappointed he wasn’t free to explore in this area. He had to follow the built path.

Well, he did actually have total freedom to jump the railing and tromp into the mangroves ahead, but that would not have achieved anything except mud up to his ankles and trampled flora. And he would likely get lost. In fact, had the path not been erected, he wouldn’t have been adventurous enough be heading out here.

He noticed a tree with flowers growing directly from its rough bark. It was like a eucalyptus tree back home that had gone slightly askew;  like a cousin of a gum tree. Stamens were falling off and two leaves below were catching them like soft, caring hands.

Oil on canvas. 40cm x 50cm.