Home » Poems » Hilda Greenhough » Vanishing Buffalo

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

Date: 6/6/2024 10:11:00 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
Date: 6/6/2024 11:48:00 AM

Thank you. I enjoyed writing it.

David Crandall

Date: 5/17/2024 12:49:00 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
Date: 5/18/2024 1:45:00 AM

Thank you for reading.

Linda Alice Fowler

Date: 5/5/2024 1:30:00 PM

A sadness that we have not learned to live together harmoniously, that one should perish for the other. Nice triolet Hilda! :)

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 5/5/2024 1:45:00 PM

Thank you very much.

Sam Kauffman

Date: 4/29/2024 11:17:00 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
Date: 4/29/2024 3:16:00 PM

Thank you for your concerned words. The large animals are at risk.

Tom Cunningham

Date: 4/28/2024 2:55:00 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
Date: 4/28/2024 7:21:00 AM

Thank you, Tom.

Paulette Calasibetta

Date: 4/27/2024 9:29:00 AM

Hi Hilda, a poignant and moving Triolet so well crafted. Congratulations on your POTW! Paulette

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 4/27/2024 1:32:00 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

Date: 4/26/2024 10:14:00 PM

Hilda, Vanishing in a fine poem, a Triolet. Longing felt in those tangled manes. Well done memoriam to their numbers. -Richard

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 4/27/2024 1:25:00 PM

Thank you. I am honored by your commemt.

Aysha Nuwas

Date: 4/26/2024 9:19:00 PM

Lovely even it makes me a bit sad. Aysha

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 4/26/2024 9:50:00 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

Date: 4/26/2024 5:26:00 PM

I know, and isn't it a shame- liked the triolet

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 4/26/2024 6:43:00 PM

Thank you for your reply. Our world is changing, but some things would be good to keep, like buffalo.

Paige Hind
Date: 4/26/2024 5:26:00 PM

CONGRATS on POTW <3

Christina Bowring

Date: 4/24/2024 1:12:00 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
Date: 4/24/2024 5:16:00 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

Date: 4/23/2024 3:00:00 AM

- Congratulations on your p.o.t.w., Hilda :) - hugs

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 4/23/2024 6:27:00 AM

Thank you.

Karen Jones

Date: 4/23/2024 12:59:00 AM

Back to say big congratulations on winning potw!

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 4/23/2024 6:25:00 AM

Thank you. It was quite a surprise.

Don Iannone

Date: 4/22/2024 10:33:00 PM

Love this! Plains. 1870s. Puffs of dust from the trail. Congratulations! Don

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 4/23/2024 12:16:00 AM

Thank you.

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 4/22/2024 10:38:00 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
Date: 4/22/2024 12:54:00 PM

Thank you. Yes, they are big, but not cuddly.

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 4/22/2024 6:28:00 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
Date: 4/22/2024 7:07:00 AM

Thank you very much.

Brandy Nicole

Date: 4/21/2024 5:03:00 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
Date: 4/21/2024 6:01:00 PM

Thank you. I have these concerns about extinction as well.

Bill Baker

Date: 4/21/2024 8:11:00 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
Date: 4/21/2024 8:49:00 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

Date: 4/21/2024 5:06:00 AM

Hilda, it's sad when so many animals are becoming extinct due to developed land. A powerful poem, congratulations on POTW.

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 4/21/2024 6:03:00 AM

Thank you.

Arthur Vaso

Date: 4/21/2024 3:58:00 AM

Beautiful, I do hope we can restore the population, I know in Canada there some programs for this!

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 4/21/2024 6:03:00 AM

I believe buffalo do well in Canada. They don't mind the cold. Thank you for your interest.

Kelly Deschler

Date: 4/20/2024 4:33:00 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
Date: 4/20/2024 7:05:00 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.