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The Warrior Not

He wears fatigues and carries a high powered gun On his head a wide brimmed hat to protect from the sun Trophies he's after gives him such a big thrill Then poses on Facebook showing off his kill. And there's people out there who breed these animals for gain Then they release them when they've grown onto the terrain Then charge these so called 'warriors' an astronomical fee To kill these magnificent animals that's sickening to see. And the horn of a rhino that's in high demand Makes you a big man I find that hard to understand They grind down the horn make it into paste To kill these big beasts for that is an absolute disgrace. There is nothing brave about killing an animal for fun From a safe mile away with a high powered gun Against those kind of odds they don't stand a chance All they're doing is making their extinction, quickly advance. The 'warrior' gets home and he feels ten feet tall Puts the lions head dripping with blood; proudly on his wall "Aren't you a brave 'warrior' "all his friends say He grins from ear to ear the praise has made his day. Written Saturday 11th July 2020 For warrior contest Sponsored by Silent One.

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Aditi Mishra

Date: 7/26/2020 10:09:00 AM

I absolutely love this powerful muse Tom! Such a harsh reality behind those self proclaimed warriors with weapons who never think before hurting animals for fun. We've already started witnessing species getting extinct. That's so sad. I hope such people experience the pain to understand what they did. Congratulations on your win. Blessings!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 7/26/2020 10:23:00 AM

Thank you very much Aditi, I just cannot understand how people can get pleasure out of killing animals so they can put their trophies on their wall, there is nothing brave about what they are doing. Its sad to think that some animals are heading for extinction because of their actions. Tom

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 7/19/2020 9:51:00 AM

Hi Tom, i think these people are despicable. I have written three separate poems 'Will his Majesty become extinct', 'Elephants Ghost' and 'Greedy poaching' I hope they catch these people and maybe reverse the hunters to become the hunted! Blessings, Jennifer.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 7/19/2020 10:26:00 AM

Thank you Jennifer, people making big money from it so it makes it harder to put an end to it, Governments should be doing more. Tom

Freddie Robinson Jr.

Date: 7/17/2020 7:11:00 AM

Spot on truth, Tom! Some talking apes are so dumb, and morally numb. Really enjoyed reading this well-crafted poem, friend-o. May love and peace rest upon you always.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 7/17/2020 8:02:00 AM

Thank you very much Freddie, I'm happy you liked it. Tom

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 7/17/2020 3:28:00 AM

I am so WITH YOU ON THIS ONE! Truly remarkable. So glad it is a winner.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 7/17/2020 8:03:00 AM

Thank you Caren, if it's not stamped out there will be no animals left. Tom

Jeanne Mcgee

Date: 7/15/2020 11:47:00 PM

Congrats Tom...hard subject read or write I bet.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 7/16/2020 1:55:00 AM

Thank you very much Jeanne. I think more oppose it these days than those that support it. Tom

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 7/15/2020 4:49:00 PM

VERY good message, Tom. These are horrible people!! Congrats on your win.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 7/15/2020 5:39:00 PM

Thank you very much Andrea, nothing brave about what they do. Tom

John Watt

Date: 7/15/2020 10:54:00 AM

Nice use of sarcasm, and a very effective title. Cowards with big guns is all they are. Cheers for all those who are fighting to prevent the extinction of species. Well done, Tom, congrats on your win ~ John

Tom Cunningham
Date: 7/15/2020 11:01:00 AM

Thank you John, what inspired the write was a report of the dentist who glorified himself by killing Cecil the lion, had his picture taken with his kill with a big grin on his face, he's at it again in Mongolia killing an endangered mountain ram. Tom

Joseph May

Date: 7/15/2020 9:50:00 AM

It is sickening that they feel ten feet tall after killing these animals for fun, Congrats on your win Tom

Tom Cunningham
Date: 7/15/2020 10:51:00 AM

Thank you very much Joseph, they love having their pictures taken alongside their kill with their smug faces, makes my blood boil. Tom

Michael Tor

Date: 7/14/2020 12:30:00 PM

Tom this reminds me when I went to the George Eastman house, the founder of Kodak in Rochester NY. His mansion was full of trophies from around the world. There was one animal head that was totally ridiculous and cruel, it was an elephant. Boy it takes a great marksman to shoot an elephant,(NOT!) I could not believe an elephants head in the hallway of his mansion. It was sad and sick to see. Im with you. It is a selfish ego trip. Congratulations on your well deserved win my friend...

Tom Cunningham
Date: 7/14/2020 12:45:00 PM

Thank you Michael, years ago I suppose it elevated your status if you had wild beasts heads on your wall but times have changed and these magnificent animal numbers are in decline. Tom

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 7/14/2020 11:22:00 AM

Congratulations on your win. A wonderful write. I love your line, "There is nothing brave about killing an animal for fun." Guess I am a animal lover. Enjoy your win and day..........

Tom Cunningham
Date: 7/14/2020 12:13:00 PM

Thank you very much Paula, sadly whilst big money is being made this brutal slaughtering of these magnificent animals will continue. Hope you too have a lovely day. Tom

Ann Gilmour

Date: 7/14/2020 10:48:00 AM

Congratulations Tom on your well deserved placement in SO's contest. With kindest thoughts Ann xx

Tom Cunningham
Date: 7/14/2020 11:00:00 AM

Thank you very much for your return visit Ann, much appreciated. Tom

Silent One

Date: 7/14/2020 10:43:00 AM

Congratulations on your placement in the contest..

Tom Cunningham
Date: 7/14/2020 11:00:00 AM

Thank you very much S. O. also for hosting. Tom

Ann Gilmour

Date: 7/14/2020 7:07:00 AM

This is so barbaric Tom, and yet it is still allowed to go on... You have captured so well the moronic Warrior who does this just to feed his gigantic ego ~ I hate him... I am sure this will reach a top place in SO's contest for it is so well done. Good luck my friend.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 7/14/2020 8:06:00 AM

Thank you Ann, after reading about that dentist who killed Cecil the lion in the paper on Saturday, I was inspired to write it. It's all about money and greed, governments should ban all animal parts to try and stop it, there is nothing brave about killing a magnificent beast from a mile away. Tom

Timothy Mcguire

Date: 7/13/2020 3:12:00 PM

Tom, I must confess when I was young I did trophy hunt. In this part of the country and my parents being from a very rural area, this was the norm. Along life's path I've come to regret that activity and have not hunted in 40 years. Now, if someone hurts to feed his family I'm ok with that. Great poem and thanks for reminding me how precious all life is.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 7/13/2020 3:28:00 PM

Thank you Timothy, hope alls well, you're right, many folk hunted as you say it was the done thing. Hunting for food is one thing but killing them for fun is another and should be banned. Tom

Panagiota Romios

Date: 7/12/2020 11:16:00 AM

Well done verse, Tom. I don't even like insects being killed by electronic zappers. Panagiota xx

Tom Cunningham
Date: 7/12/2020 11:40:00 AM

Thank you Panagiota, don't think it will ever stop, too much profit involved, when the animals are gone, what then? , Tom

Jenish Somadas

Date: 7/12/2020 1:47:00 AM

Yes Tom, from the title onward you passed the message clear and loud.. Killing animals for their teeth and horns are barbaric. It is no wonder, the warriors are in their dungeon now..Good luck..

Tom Cunningham
Date: 7/12/2020 2:13:00 AM

Thank you very much Jenish, sad to see, but many turn a blind eye because it is a moneymaker for many who don't care about the planet. Tom

Imran Islam

Date: 7/12/2020 1:43:00 AM

Brilliant job dear Tom. I loved this. Stay safe!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 7/12/2020 2:11:00 AM

Thank you Lure, I'm happy you liked it. Enjoy your weekend Tom

Eve Roper

Date: 7/11/2020 11:07:00 PM

Deep and moving write, Tom. I wrote one for the contest, but to late to enter. Good luck in the contest. Hugs Eve

Tom Cunningham
Date: 7/12/2020 2:10:00 AM

Thank you very much Eve, sad to see certain species moving to extinction, what will they do when there is no more animals left to hunt. Tom

Lindsay Laurie

Date: 7/11/2020 7:27:00 PM

G'day Tom … for the life of me I cannot see the sense in killing for a so called trophy. By doing so humans are adding to the demise of our very own survival. Your poem bluntly tells the tales of stupidity - thank you Tom; enjoyed - Lindsay

Tom Cunningham
Date: 7/11/2020 7:56:00 PM

Thank you Lindsay, these barbaric blood sports belong in medieval times, Romans were the worst, they almost wiped out the barbary lion. Hope you're well Tom

Vijay Pandit

Date: 7/11/2020 2:45:00 PM

You are so right, Tom--warriors they are not! Nothing brave about killing helpless animals--shame on them who cheer them on. Meaningful write!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 7/11/2020 3:49:00 PM

Thank you Vijay, what annoys me is some corrupt countries encourage it to make money, the way its going you'll only be able to see these animals in a book. Tom

Ilene Bauer

Date: 7/11/2020 2:35:00 PM

i totally agree with you, tom! how anyone can get any pleasure from killing something for sport just boggles my mind. your poem is great! best of luck in the contest...

Tom Cunningham
Date: 7/11/2020 3:47:00 PM

Thank you Ilene, what prompted the poem was seeing about that dentist Walter Palmer who killed Cecil the lion up to his old tricks again, this time a rare mountain ram in Mongolia. The man has no shame Tom