Jennifer Proxenos Poet Free verse

Berg En Dal Mountains and Valleys

BERG EN DAL    Mountains and Valleys

Valleys were filled with running water
From the storm last night,
A dream come true for the animals, 
The drought became a wretched fright
Watching the wildlife enduring this plight
It made me so sad,
But then so glad
For the sudden storm
Small dams were full, rivers overflowing
Green grass, sprouting and growing!
But some patches still dry
Especially if hilly and high,
Lightening set off a bush fire
This was as bad as drought,
With fear fraught,
The animals couldn’t survive 
The heat and flames,
Didn’t know where to go
Birdlife, animals, insects died,
And were fried,
So whether drought or rain,
Both brought the same pain!
A haven for poachers 
Who snared animals running away,
Lions, elephants, buffalo and rhino,
What a hell of a day.
The rangers could not get near,
They were in danger, flames and
And toxic smoke was their fear,
Poachers had a field day
In an inhumane way!
Animals Defenceless against 
The cunning of man
Rangers ,unable to cover the span
Outnumbered by poachers
Had to pray these criminals
Could not survive,
Could no longer contrive,
Would only themselves deprive
Of staying alive!

BERG EN DAL
MEANS IN AFRIKAANSE HILLS AND VALLEYS 
A CAMPSITE FOUND IN THE KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

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Andrea Dietrich November 10, 2020 at 2:08 PM Was this a very recent event, Jennifer? How harrowing! I bet the poachers have a field day in AFrica. That is so sad amidst all this calamity. Very well written and your rhyming is spot on, as usual!!

Andrea Dietrich November 10, 2020 at 2:07 PM could not find a recent one of yours I have not read, so I came to one you posted on my birthday. Let's take a look now!!

Jan Allison September 28, 2020 at 5:58 AM man and his greed has so much to answer for Jenifer, thanks for opening our eyes to this injustice in your poem:-) hugs Jan xx Jennifer Proxenos October 21, 2020 at 5:38 AM Hi Jan. it breaks my heart when we go to the park and occasionally see a rhino without his horn, or an elephant without its tusks - this is very rare to see but we have once or twice, they have survived their ordeal, but they have excellent memories and too many humans are crowding them. They could charge one day, the rhino or the elephant. Both have tempers! Thank-you Jan, blessings and hugs, Jennifer.

Christopher Flaherty September 17, 2020 at 2:03 PM Save the Rhino If only the rain could drown the poachers and let the animals live. Some fantastic recent writes you posted here Jennifer. Title drew me been there myself as well. How lucky are we to have seen such wonders that life has to offer . Only to see it being ravaged for what exactly?????? Animal cruelty a crime beyond reproach Jennifer Proxenos September 23, 2020 at 8:23 AM Thank-you for a wonderful comment Christopher - wouldn't it be great if they drowned but unfortunately they are alive and well and living in South Africa. Some of the wild life commentaries that we see on TV are horrific. Blessings and hugs, Jennifer.

Michael Tor September 10, 2020 at 6:38 PM A champion you are Jennifer for those poor animals. Jennifer Proxenos September 23, 2020 at 8:28 AM Hi Michale, such a lovely compliment Michael, I only write what is unfortunately true, and the fear is the are milking our wildlife to the extent that they will become extinct. Thank-you Michael. Hugs and blessings, Jennifer.

Lindsay Laurie September 10, 2020 at 6:38 PM Hello Jennifer ... a very sad tale indeed especially for the wild life. The real problem appears the people who buy the animal products and the poachers employers. Stop them and there is no money for poachers, but how to do that is the question - thanks again Jennifer - Lindsay Jennifer Proxenos September 23, 2020 at 8:26 AM And unfortunately big names and corporations involved so it can never be solved. These poor animals are facing extinction! Thank you Lindsay, a great comment. Blessings and hugs, Jennifer.

Judy Ball September 9, 2020 at 1:16 PM Man is the most dangerous and the cruelest animal on the planet. The things some people do is a sin in the eyes of God and they will pay for it. These animals belong to God and He created them for the same reason He created us, to give Him joy. They will pay for abusing God's animals, and His people too. Great write here Jennifer filled with imagery and emotion. God Bless, JB

Michelle Faulkner September 7, 2020 at 3:23 PM What a tragic story, just heartbreaking, it is important to share something like this, you told it vividly and did it justice.

Silent One September 6, 2020 at 1:55 PM Some people are just evil... How sad people will do anything for money and so sad there is such a demand for animal artifacts

Darlene De Beaulieu September 5, 2020 at 4:07 PM Hello Jennifer, I think that is is cruel to kill an animal for no reason at all. Poachers should be caught and jailed. They kill animals for no reason. Hugs D\rlene

Sam Kauffman September 5, 2020 at 10:48 AM While nature has its own set of sad values, poachers who take advantage of animals just trying to survive in sheer terror makes my blood boil! Heart wrenching story wonderfully crafted my friend! Animals are truly portraits of God's creativity! Sending you blessings. Thank you for sharing.

M. L. Kiser September 5, 2020 at 8:40 AM Sad, painful, nature's loss is everyone's loss. Powerful pen.

Arturo Michael September 5, 2020 at 7:18 AM Nature can be so beautiful and cruel at the same time...Well expressed here...including the human predators

Anne-Lise Andresen September 5, 2020 at 7:11 AM - Berg og Dal ... means mountains and valleys in Norwegian too ... so strange :) - It's awful to see the animals suffer - A lovely poem, dear soul sister :) - Have a wonderful weekend :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)