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Prisoners of Time

Prisoners of Time

There is nothing secret
nothing sacred from man
He reaches beyond the 
infinite to scatter dreams

He will employ 
extraordinary means
Alone or in the company
of those with like heart
he can stream to
undiscovered places

Which brings, the opening 
of a tale of how he
exploited the mighty whales
and in the process, cruelly
used, the giant turtles
of the Galapagos. Yes!
they were collateral damage
 for the no less serious but
vaster sin of killing the
Leviathans.

Fresh food for the crew, they
endured layers of
imprisonment, stacked alive
on their backs in the holds of ships,
helpless in their giant shells for
a year at a time
Prisoners of the depths
of man's ignorance- such
sacrilege.

We can only pray, that 
in that living death-
they entered a much
altered time state- that 
became like fragrance;
an elusive, wafting
 and that bliss flooded
their  being

In praying this
we whisper an apology

 Suzanne Delaney
Sunday, March 21, 2004
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015

Poem

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Rotman Avatar
August 13, 2015 at 9:12 PM
Very moving!
Laurie Avatar
August 6, 2015 at 11:16 PM
G'day Suzanne... greed, ignorance and lack of education and thought have seen too many majestic wildlife standing on the brink of extinction. A wonderful poem, although heartbreaking Suzanne - thank you - Lindsay
Delaney Avatar
August 8, 2015 at 12:27 AM
Too right Laurie and I am surprised it still goes on today after all we have learned and mostly for human greed. I do love nature and the amazing animals.
Callus Avatar
August 6, 2015 at 5:14 PM
Ignorance contributed to many animals being exploited and made to suffer. People are now more aware of things, but we cannot ever erase the cruelty that took place. As you rightly say, Suz: "we whisper an apology". ~ All the best. // paul
Dietrich Avatar
August 5, 2015 at 8:23 PM
Yes, suzanne. that Solitude poem reminded me of the good old days of Buzz words. Except that particular sonnet came very rapidly to me; whereas back in the mid 2000's, I was taking over an hour or two per sonnet!
Delaney Avatar
August 5, 2015 at 8:28 PM
Good for you, Andrea: Just goes to show- practise makes perfect.
Lindley Avatar
August 1, 2015 at 10:06 PM
Mankind's cruelty knows no bounds because true evil knows none! Great and informative poem. A super 7 on this gem my friend!
Delaney Avatar
August 5, 2015 at 8:25 PM
I know, Peter: It is discouraging that there are still people like this in the 21st. Century. So low on the scale of enlightenment. Cheers, SuZ
Delaney Avatar
August 5, 2015 at 8:20 PM
Thank you Robert, In some ways we have advanced in awareness but when I read that hunters are still slaughtering big game animals my heart despairs.
Marcum Wong Avatar
July 28, 2015 at 1:32 AM
Suz, this poem is so moving and breaks my heart. I know this to be true and I despair for the heartless way humankind has treated animals over the past eons. I loved your poignant poem attesting to their plight. 7
Delaney Avatar
August 5, 2015 at 8:35 PM
When I found this out I could hardly believe it, Connie: That is why I was driven to write about it. Hugs, SuZ
Dietrich Avatar
July 27, 2015 at 7:32 PM
wow, Suzanne. It is a very specific group that this focuses on and yet it can apply to many other things in nature. I love the caring you show in this.
Delaney Avatar
August 5, 2015 at 8:30 PM
I agree, Andrea: Look at that Big Game Hunter that shot Cecil and many other big beautiful animals. He is a serial killer of a different kind.
La France Avatar
July 27, 2015 at 6:45 PM
Suzanne, oh how sad, this broke my heart, well written with emotion 7 and thanks for visiting my poetry
Delaney Avatar
August 5, 2015 at 8:37 PM
Hi Broken Wings: So many things man has done break our hearts every day. That is because we must be so much more aware of true beauty and the meaning of life. Big Hugs, SuZ
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