Living in the margins #1

Full moon in the Karoo, and the night-jars calling.

There's a little karoo shrub that only begins to release its fragrance when the comforts of the day have gone. Pure, heady vanilla which richly repays my blundering into thorns, sniffing my way through the veld. Unspectacular little bush by day, although prettily covered in creamy-yellow flowers - it is a flamboyant performer, in secret, when people are sleeping.

Of course, its performance is not for my sake. Its perfume is not aimed at attracting my attention. I am irrelevant. A chance passer-by, surprised & delighted by this encounter with a life-system that doesn't require my attention, or my approval. Left alone, it is sufficient unto itself.

Like so much else in the natural world - Life busy living. While people are sleeping.

Life is richer in the margins.