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In the Dark of Night

The night was strangely hushed and cloaked
by the clouds scuttling across the silvery moon.
The breeze made the night air feel chilled,
yet her flanks were covered in sweat
as she strained, muscles quivering and chest heaving.

It had to be quick as she could hear predators
for now in the far distance yet moving in.
Still she strained the legs and face now visible.
One last final thrust and it is born already
struggling to find its feet and be ready to flee.

Anxiously the mother licked and licked
stimulating muscles, nerves and blood.
Valiantly the baby stands and starts to suckle 
its feet going every which way as it fights
for control over its unruly members.

Within five minutes its ready to run
its mother calls it deep into the herd.
Surrounding them with a protective barrier
Out of all this years Zebra foals only a
handful will survive and sire other foals.

The rest falling prey to Lions and other cats
the crocs too will feast at the river crossings.
The odd sickly ones become dinner for hyena's.
Such is life on the East African plains, nature
culls all but the fittest ensuring strong blood lines.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2016




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Date: 2/4/2016 3:46:00 PM
Shadow, I really enjoyed this and at first I was not sure where it was going, but it fell into place very well, as I realized you were describing the baby zebra. Great description along with it being informative.
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Date: 1/25/2016 8:26:00 AM
You seem to have such intimate familiarity with the tropical wild. It shows in the details you express with ease. Enjoyed the lines!
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Date: 1/23/2016 4:38:00 PM
I so totally agree with what Silent One has said Shadow, beautiful beyond all words can say a 7 and also a FAV.... Sherri
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Date: 1/23/2016 3:55:00 PM
Ah, Mr Spencer would be proud, Darwin too. Love the poem. Such is life everywhere.
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Date: 1/23/2016 3:04:00 PM
Your a extremely good writer i love this poem
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