When the Dust Settles

THE SCENERY CHANGES SUBTLY with
every mile of narrow tar road from Bamako,
Mali’s capital city, to San, a small town five
hours to the east. The long, flat landscape
of muted brown scrub gives way to tall,
twisted baobab trees and towering termite
mounds. Everywhere the earth is the colour
of cinnamon, and over it all, the sun spreads
a soft, diffuse light.