Hilda Greenhough Poet Triolet

Vanishing Buffalo

  They thundered across the fertile plains,
  Those hardened hooves, those tangled manes,
   But now the Buffalo can't be found.
   They thundered across the fertile plains.
   The long grass has vanished from the ground
   Where cities and highways now abound.
   They thundered across the fertile plains,
   Those hardened hooves, those tangled manes.

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Jim Slaughter June 6, 2024 at 10:11 AM I've never seen one except in a zoo, but I have been watching an excellent documentary on PBS called "American Buffalo". It's hard to imagine what happened to them. This is a really wonderful piece, Hilda. Hilda Greenhough June 6, 2024 at 11:48 AM Thank you. I enjoyed writing it.

David Crandall May 17, 2024 at 12:49 PM Nice poem, Hilda. Interesting rhyming scheme. Though it's a bit sad, thanks for putting that image into my head, buffalo where we now have cities. That must've been something. So strange how things can change so quickly. Hilda Greenhough May 18, 2024 at 1:45 AM Thank you for reading.

Linda Alice Fowler May 5, 2024 at 1:30 PM A sadness that we have not learned to live together harmoniously, that one should perish for the other. Nice triolet Hilda! :) Hilda Greenhough May 5, 2024 at 1:45 PM Thank you very much.

Sam Kauffman April 29, 2024 at 11:17 AM It is a sad commentary on the encroachment of the buffalo's world by civilization. I love the reaffirmation of your theme in the pantoum format and now we are left with the silence of the buffalo's absence. I hear the plaintive howl of grief in your words. Congratulations on your POTW - a wonderful honor indeed! Blessings. Hilda Greenhough April 29, 2024 at 3:16 PM Thank you for your concerned words. The large animals are at risk.

Tom Cunningham April 28, 2024 at 2:55 AM Quite sad that the vast herds of buffalo have been hunted to near extinction, a tragedy too that the early settlers deprived the native Americans of food to survive, many died of starvation because of it. Congratulations to you on the honour of POTW Hilda. Tom Hilda Greenhough April 28, 2024 at 7:21 AM Thank you, Tom.

Paulette Calasibetta April 27, 2024 at 9:29 AM Hi Hilda, a poignant and moving Triolet so well crafted. Congratulations on your POTW! Paulette Hilda Greenhough April 27, 2024 at 1:32 PM Thank you for your comment. The buffalo were highly evolved to live on the long grasses of the plains. There are still a few buffalo in small herds, but the long grasses are gone.

Quoth Theraven April 26, 2024 at 10:14 PM Hilda, Vanishing in a fine poem, a Triolet. Longing felt in those tangled manes. Well done memoriam to their numbers. -Richard Hilda Greenhough April 27, 2024 at 1:25 PM Thank you. I am honored by your commemt.

Aysha Nuwas April 26, 2024 at 9:19 PM Lovely even it makes me a bit sad. Aysha Hilda Greenhough April 26, 2024 at 9:50 PM Thank you for your concern for buffalo. You can still see small herds in some National Parks, such as Yellowstone or Zion. Thanks for reading my triolet.

Paige Hind April 26, 2024 at 5:26 PM I know, and isn't it a shame- liked the triolet Hilda Greenhough April 26, 2024 at 6:43 PM Thank you for your reply. Our world is changing, but some things would be good to keep, like buffalo. Paige Hind April 26, 2024 at 5:26 PM CONGRATS on POTW <3

Christina Bowring April 24, 2024 at 1:12 PM Dear Hilda, many congratulations with POTW with this very powerful and very well written Triolet. The refrain lines have a real impact as you can hear their once thundering hooves and now silence across the plains. So poignant and sad. Poor buffalo. A reflective read. Thank you for sharing x Hilda Greenhough April 24, 2024 at 5:16 PM The first thundering buffalo I ever saw where on western movies. It looked like there were many, but there are only small herds now. Thank you for your comment.

Anne-Lise Andresen April 23, 2024 at 3:00 AM - Congratulations on your p.o.t.w., Hilda :) - hugs Hilda Greenhough April 23, 2024 at 6:27 AM Thank you.

Karen Jones April 23, 2024 at 12:59 AM Back to say big congratulations on winning potw! Hilda Greenhough April 23, 2024 at 6:25 AM Thank you. It was quite a surprise.

Don Iannone April 22, 2024 at 10:33 PM Love this! Plains. 1870s. Puffs of dust from the trail. Congratulations! Don Hilda Greenhough April 23, 2024 at 12:16 AM Thank you.

Paula Goldsmith April 22, 2024 at 10:38 AM Congratulations on your POTW win. Sorry I am late. I took the weekend off from Soup... I enjoyed reading your wonderful "Vanishing Buffalo" write. What a big animal. Have a blessed day writing away.................. Hilda Greenhough April 22, 2024 at 12:54 PM Thank you. Yes, they are big, but not cuddly.

Kim Rodrigues April 22, 2024 at 6:28 AM A can feel the power of this along with the sadness and the change from wild frontier to the current age. A fave, Hilda! Congratulations on a much deserved POTW! Hilda Greenhough April 22, 2024 at 7:07 AM Thank you very much.

Brandy Nicole April 21, 2024 at 5:03 PM So sad when certain animals become extinct. Mankind can be cruel sometimes. Your thoughts caress softly around me and my heart. Congratulations Hilda, on Poem of the Week. Many wonderful blessings to you. Hugs, Brandy Hilda Greenhough April 21, 2024 at 6:01 PM Thank you. I have these concerns about extinction as well.

Bill Baker April 21, 2024 at 8:11 AM Stunning reality in this lovely written Triolet, Hila. Mankind has been so thoughtless as we evolve, it seems our only concern is self. That's very sad with the beautiful creations we were born into. Congratulations on your POTW, my friend! Enjoy your special week of recognition. Smiles ~ Blessings Bill Hilda Greenhough April 21, 2024 at 8:49 AM Thank you for your good wishes. I had to look for POTW when Tania mentioned it. I'm happy that the buffalo got the recognition.

Tania Kitchin April 21, 2024 at 5:06 AM Hilda, it's sad when so many animals are becoming extinct due to developed land. A powerful poem, congratulations on POTW. Hilda Greenhough April 21, 2024 at 6:03 AM Thank you.

Kelly Deschler April 20, 2024 at 4:33 PM A great write, Hilda. Very eye-opening and thought-provoking... Buffalo are quite majestic creatures. I see them often as there are several farms that raise buffalo near my home... Surely one day they will thrive in the wild once again :) Hilda Greenhough April 20, 2024 at 7:05 PM Thank you for reading my poem. I live near a national park that has a small buffalo herd. At least they aren't extinct.

Ilene Bauer April 19, 2024 at 12:03 PM Your description really made this come alive, Hilda! Hilda Greenhough April 19, 2024 at 2:20 PM Thank you.

Evelyn Judy Buehler April 18, 2024 at 10:10 PM Vanishing species are certainly justification for great alarm. A powerful, gripping triolet, Hilda. Blessings. Hilda Greenhough April 18, 2024 at 11:27 PM Thank you. A lot of species have disappeared. Thank you for visiting.

Gary Radice April 17, 2024 at 8:08 AM . A powerful write Hilda and a very timely reminder that human beings' ideas of 'progress' are certainly a cause for concern. Cheers - Gary Hilda Greenhough April 17, 2024 at 8:15 AM Thank you for visiting my site.

Heidi Sands April 17, 2024 at 6:42 AM Excellent poem. Well written Hilda. :) Hilda Greenhough April 17, 2024 at 7:41 AM Thank you.

Joseph May April 17, 2024 at 4:55 AM "They thundered across the fertile plains," then were never seen again, Powerful write Hilda Greenhough April 17, 2024 at 7:41 AM Thank you . They were amazing animals in their own right.

Anne-Lise Andresen April 17, 2024 at 2:52 AM - Vividly written, Hilda - A truth we should think about ... we all have a right to our place on earth - hugs Hilda Greenhough April 17, 2024 at 7:40 AM Thank you. I send best wishes you you.

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