Wildlife Wednesday

~ Flame of the Forest ~

 

  This small lodge of four villas was inspired by the dream of a home in the forest, of conservation, and of resposible living. Its small, but remarkable team play host to like-minded guests looking to take time off from their real worlds and get in touch with nature.

The lodge works closely with the local communities, and are the best guides to anything related to local social culture, flora, and fauna. Their highly trained naturalists can tell you the taxonomy of every butterfly and the story of each anthill in town.

 Flame of the Forest is on of Ibex Expeditions' favourite lodges in Kanha, and we recommend it to all our fellow travellers.

 

~ ~ ~

They say there is a flame in the forest

They say it is visible through fog and tempest

The flame etches and spills

And fires inside of you

It burns with tiger eyes

And butterfly wings

The flame grows as the

Tailorbird sings

And labors like anthills

Is joyous like elephant baths

In fact, the flame is the forest.

 
There is a flame in the forest

It might escape the eye of the naturalist

--But those that know it will see it—

and with it make a secret tryst

an invisible thread around your wrist

But should you leave

Without its heave

Do not bereave

For you will sense its light

Itself will ignite

On a lonesome night

When you least expect it

It’ll set things right.

There is a flame in the forest

And it will enter

Through the opening in your centre

In the forest there is a flame

You felt it through fog and rain

And though you’ll want to claim

That you want to remain

With the flame

The flame will return to you

And this is the end of this refrain.

Poem by Himali Singh Soin