A fellow of the Geographic. His Indian jungles.

His Dad gave him
First rudimentary camera.
Took to the lush jungle
Of the sub-continent
Like a skipping roebuck.
Easily journied
As if it were
A harmless city sidewalk
Free of danger.

But danger.
Eyes alert always for
A shoot, a subject.
But also deadly eventualities.
Viper constricting
Mother tiger with cubs
Wild boar
Insects with bites insidious
Leeches, ticks.
Enormous wasps, beetles, stinging ants.
Flash floods.
Quicksand.

Sixth sense to understand
The do’s and don’ts
All smiling.
Waving hello to each
Discovered subject.
In his Jungle.

And National Geographic came calling.