Freedom Remembered

In a zoo in a strange land
a zebra stands 
flaunting the bright stripes
 of a collective band 
against the russett tussle of leaves
 that exit trees before a cold wind.

He is far  from the windswept plain
of his dreams; that parched place
where drought adapted trees wane,
 until at last renewed by rain,
an over-night fantasy of growth
 glides greenly,
quicker than evening-tide.

Here, where Autumn has a strange glow,
bare trees, steal the dapple from his coat. 
Knee deep in a pile of red leaves
he yields the life blood of his soul,
flowing from a freedom remembered

100 in a ROW contest -- 15
Contest Judged:  9/24/2016 8:56:00 PM
Sponsored by: Poet Destroyer A
6th Place
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013


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Date: 11/16/2020 5:01:00 AM
Having seen them in the wilds of Kenya and in a city zoo, there is no comparison. Well written verse Suz Not just me who thinks they should be free. Tom
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/16/2020 3:17:00 PM
No I didn't Suz, something new ive learnt today
Delaney Avatar
Suzanne Delaney
Date: 11/16/2020 3:11:00 PM
Thanks for checking out my link, Tom: I thought you would enjoy it. Did you know a group of zebras is called a dazzle. Best SuZ
Date: 9/25/2016 7:14:00 PM
wow this is powerful and touching Suzanne...the last stanza is so true...congratulations on your placement :)-luloo
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Date: 9/25/2016 1:35:00 PM
I'm tearing up, how beautifully, sadly put ! Congratulations on your well deserved win !
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Date: 9/24/2016 9:46:00 PM
Suz, Congratulations on your well-deserved win. :):):) Stop by my latest blog "Last Laugh." if you'd like. Always & Forever ~LINDA~
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Date: 2/3/2016 10:32:00 AM
Well said and craftily illustrated. A wonderful presentation of this wonderful site. Thumbs up and a definite 7
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Suzanne Delaney
Date: 2/3/2016 10:54:00 AM
Thanks Funom: I appreciate your insightful comments. SuZ
Date: 6/2/2014 9:17:00 AM
Suzanne This is such a heartwrenching, powerful, deep, emotional and sad write. Freedom should never be taken away from anyone or anything. thank you for the nice comment on my Nature poem.
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Suzanne Delaney
Date: 6/2/2014 3:54:00 PM
Glad you enjoyed this......don't know where it came from...perhaps I was a zebra in another life....LOL SuZ
Date: 8/29/2013 12:28:00 PM
Nice poem!
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Suzanne Delaney
Date: 6/2/2014 3:43:00 PM
Hi Syed: I am catching up with Soup stuff, Thanks for your valued comment. Hope all is well. SuZ
Date: 8/4/2013 5:32:00 PM
No matter what type of habitat they create in a zoo, there's nothing compatible to their natural environment in the wild! Truthfully written!...Milt
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Suzanne Delaney
Date: 6/2/2014 3:36:00 PM
I so agree...I am always fascinated by being up so close to the animals but at the same time I feel saddened by their confinement and not being in their own habitat. SuZ
Date: 7/12/2013 1:06:00 PM
I like the way you described grief in such a beautiful way, Suz..thank you for sharing this heart touching poem of yours.. *hug ~Shirley
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Suzanne Delaney
Date: 6/2/2014 3:41:00 PM
Thanks Shirley Your words mean a lot to me. Best, SuZ
Date: 7/12/2013 8:21:00 AM
A painful piece filled w/some harsh, underlying truth. Very well done!
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Suzanne Delaney
Date: 6/2/2014 3:31:00 PM
Hi Drake Catching up with Soup stuff, Thanks for your valued comment. Hope all is well. SuZ
Date: 7/12/2013 1:33:00 AM
Ow this poem touched my heart..Nothing is more sad than freedom being stolen ..both from animal or human.
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Suzanne Delaney
Date: 6/2/2014 3:33:00 PM
It is a sad condition because we imagine our own freedom being taken. Thanks for your always welcomed visits. Hugs SuZ y
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