Heritage

Heritage Frank Halliwell Look around us at this dismal Monument to human pride. Vegetation stripped and wasted, Future riches thrown aside, Once this land was all rich jungle Rampant growth on every hand Home to hundreds of wild creatures, Buffalo and sleek Eland.. And the Monarch of this forest Was a cat of grace and might, And his striped coat glowed alternately With noon and blackest night! Keen of eye, and swift and certain In pursuit when quarry runs, They were brave majestic hunters, But no match for shooter's guns. Hunted down for love of killing, For his coat; a souvenir For the bored, a moment's thrilling To be toasted with a beer. One day you can tell your children How men wouldn't take a stand, When the forests brushed these heavens, And the Tiger walked this land. ***