Thandi

Gold cherry

By Frances Macaulay Forde

Sat, 12 Jul 2014
  • 4476 reads
9 comments
 

A poem submitted to the anthology to raise awareness: "Rhino in a shrinking world" but not included.  I thought I'd share it anyway...

 

THANDI

 

Imagine slow, deep heart beats

echoing inside a massive hide.

 

Slumberous half-blind grazing.

Open veldt rare rhino protected.

 

Unaware evil stalks with intent.

Crack! Stinging rifle shot thrums.

 

Labouring body lumbers to escape.

Laid low, as deadly saw crudely

 

works on pointed bone bleeding

on Africa’s Skin.  Enough death,

 

illegal trade.  This is no noble

harvest to feed the starving poor…

 

Frances Macaulay Forde © 2012 

 

Certificate PG
Poem
Africa
Nature

Comments

Submitted by Bee on

It should have got in. Just one small point - I believed rhino horn is not bone, but compacted hair. But then I read:

'The rhino's horn has no bone in it at all. The fact that it is made entirely of keratin led scientists to guess that it was merely a clump of heavily compressed and modified hair.

'But a study published in 2006 and conducted using high-tech medical imaging technology revealed that the structure of rhinoceros horn is closer to that of a horse's hooves or a turtle's beak -- ending once and for all the speculation that it was just an over-sharpened cowlick.' So that told me!.

 Also, I'd bring it down to PG. The earlier we learn the truth, the sooner attitudes change. That's just my opinion, though.

Liked your poem.

 

Bee

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

I liked this very much too. Concise, but not obscure. Actually, I thought that the rhino's horn looks like a pointed bone, so poetic licence! Particularly liked 'Labouring body lumbers' alliteration.
and in the last lines, maybe echoing the difference with rainforest logging which sometimes seems essential at present to those scratching a living from it.
Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Frances Macaula... on

Thanks Rhiannonw - you've understood the subtext perfectly. 

Soundcloud:  https://soundcloud.com/search?q=FrancesMF

Submitted by Frances Macaula... on

Thanks for reading and your comments @Bee and @Rhiannonw.

The 'pointed bone' is an oblique reference to an Aboriginal custom also practised in other lands:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurdaitcha.  (Once the bone is pointed, death follows.) Also, if I had used horn or another word, it would have taken most readers elsewhere.  I wanted the focus to be on the Rhino.

I've included the link to purchase a copy of the book... this is an on-going battle and in October, supporters around the world will march to show their feelings. 

After just a very quick flick through the book, I recommend it...  http://rhinoanthology.wordpress.com/

 

Soundcloud:  https://soundcloud.com/search?q=FrancesMF

Submitted by Bee on

Hi Frances.

Thanks for the explanation - that was really interesting. Read your poem again and still like it very much. 

Bee x

 

Bee

Submitted by Frances Macaula... on

Thanks, Bee.

Soundcloud:  https://soundcloud.com/search?q=FrancesMF

Submitted by Frances Macaula... on

Oh, thank you so much Powers-that-be!  You have made my Sunday :-)

I am very pleased and proud you thought enough of my poem to give it a cherry.

Chuffed!

 

Soundcloud:  https://soundcloud.com/search?q=FrancesMF

Submitted by Frances Macaula... on

And suddenly, my red cherry is GOLD!  Thank you so much.  Very humbled and cheered up on this so-sad day... have been feeling really down ever since I watched the news in the early hours of this morning about those poor people on board MH17...

Soundcloud:  https://soundcloud.com/search?q=FrancesMF

Submitted by Frances Macaula... on

Here's a wonderful update on Thandi who's just become a mum!

https://francesmacaulayforde.wordpress.com/2015/01/14/its-official-thand...

 

Soundcloud:  https://soundcloud.com/search?q=FrancesMF