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| Poached rhino picture courtesy Facebook Rhino groups. |
An ageing soldier crying softly, beside a body on the ground
Sheds a tear for his young slain friend
He never thought this would come down.
He'd thrown away all his bush gear, camo paint and forage cap
Spent his life forgetting firefights in dark shadows
Without a thought that he'd go back.
Life has dreams from hard foundations, memories with no shed tears
Struck with the heart ache of our creations
In the invulnerability of our young years
From the vat of our maturation brews a spirit of adventure
That spills towards our next generation
Whom we protect beyond our fears.
Played a part in the creation
Of an Eden ... or so it seems.
Raised a calf from its lost mum, fed it every day by hand
Grew to love his lost young orphan
Sanctuary for all became the plan.
It is such a sweet temptation for us to simply turn away
To ignore the wildlife decimation
That supplies the Asian trade.
The ineptitude of our nations, the impotence of governments
Sends a message to all caring people
To care a damn is a piece of shit.
Aching heart beside his slain friend, new resolve and a pledge is made
To seek the killers of his now lost brother
The one he'd raised in his sanctuary
But old soldiers know the danger, the blood and all the fears
Never rush to don the camo
Never want to wear the gear.
Now there's a deeper call of duty, calling way beyond his fears.
He heads along the faint new pathway
Tracking two legged predators
Seeks his quarry in long shadows, where deadly ambushes are laid
Amongst flashing memories of firefights
A last patrol for his young compadre.
Life has dreams from hard foundations, memories of old despairs
Struck with the heart ache of our creations
Amidst the anger and the tears
A deadly shot strikes its target: he never wanted to kill again
But he'll protect his new generation
Beyond the sum of all his fears.
"Slaap sag, rustig ou grote. Slaap sag."
"Rest in peace, old friend. Rest in peace."
South African musician, David Easthouse, has adapted the above to his latest music masterpiece. Check it out here-
David Easthouse- Beyond the sum of all his fears.
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| Members of the Pilanesberg National Park Anti-Poaching Unit (APU) stand guard as conservationists and police investigate the scene of a rhino poaching incident April 19, 2012. — Reuters pic |
The Rhino poaching war escalates. 668 rhino were slaughtered in 2012 in South Africa. This year is off to an equally depressing start: 393 as at end of April! At this rate, 2015 may see over 1500 killed, and that figure is just for South Africa.
This is extermination of a species.
Many reserve owners, who in their youth may have been involved in the wars for independence in Southern Africa, are now - in what should be today's peace - having to take up arms and fight a new battle, this time with the survival of rhino at stake.
Dreams to create wildlife sanctuaries on their land are being crushed. Lives are being lost. Rhino being driven to extinction to supply Asian demand for rhino horn.
9 comments:
Jim, I find each and everyone of your blogs totally moving - just continue to keep them coming - raising awareness of the plight of our wildlife - thank you
Hi Jim. Thank you for this touching poem in so much truth. To quote your own words " Will they be there? Will they graze when we gaze in the wild where they should be? " The slaughter of these magnificent souls of the bush is a crime! It is a shame on the human race. Greed the reason for this horrific actions. Chief Seattle said- " If all the beasts were gone, man would die from loneliness of spirit, for what happens to the beasts, happens to the man. " Your talent is amazing Jim !
Thanks Carole. When pictures, like the one heading this post, come across my Facebook wall I just know that it is a special photo of a horrible moment, that needs to be conveyed to the rest of the world. One day it may just be the very last one.
Thanks Henriette.
"Will they be there? Will they graze when we gaze in the wild where they should be?"
That's the question. So will we find the answer?
Heartbreaking... Excellent poem.
Ack. Just disgusting.
Heartbreaking. I just don't understand how the poachers can kill those incredible animals. There is a special place in hell for them.
This is depressing as all hell. So sad. We're planning our trip to South Africa now to see these beautiful animals. So sad...
What a disgrace that people are still out there poaching wildlife like that. I remember seeing a nature show about teams of counter-poachers that would go out and shoot or arrest poachers. Maybe South Africa needs those too.
Anyway, touching poem.
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