Suzanne Delaney Poet Free verse

Words To a Poacher

This once majestic creature - its form
now a dried hide stretched over mutilated bones.

As defenseless in death, as it was in life,
its tusks hacked from its noble skull.

Its ear rests serenely on its shoulder
among dead sticks the carcass testifies
to the barbarity of evil men
front legs folded back where it heaved in agony-
gave its last breath to vile humanity.

Who can explain to children, the reality of
their storybook elephants or zoo friends?
Out in the wild places, even when protected
they succumb to greed and avarice.
Someday the spaces of Africa will be filled
with extinction.


4/7/2016
For Silent Ones 
Images that make you think - #2
3rd Place

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Poet Destroyer A April 27, 2016 at 9:37 PM Suz, Congratulations on your " Images that make you think WIN." Always ~LINDA~

Suzanne Delaney April 15, 2016 at 10:05 AM Dear Silent One: thank you for such an honor and also for raising awareness on the desperate issues in the world around us, Ever, Suzanne

Joseph May April 14, 2016 at 10:48 PM Powerful write Susan...Congrats on your win Suzanne Delaney April 15, 2016 at 10:10 AM Thankyou Joseph: I appreciate your encouraging comment. Best, SuZ

Laura Leiser April 14, 2016 at 9:38 PM Congrats on your win., Suzanne! Very well written:) Suzanne Delaney April 15, 2016 at 10:12 AM Dear Laura: Thank you for your always gracious comments. SuZ

Paul Callus April 11, 2016 at 9:48 AM This describes the picture beautifully, Suzanne. What a pity that these animals are slaughtered for personal gain! Only this past week I read of all those elephants killed and left to rot after their tusks had been stolen! ~ Regards // paul Suzanne Delaney April 11, 2016 at 6:23 PM Hi Paul: So unbelievable that men could create a killing field. I can't describe how helpless I feel when I read about the senseless slaughter of these herds. Thanks for visiting. It means a lot. SuZ

Lindsay Laurie April 10, 2016 at 7:52 PM G'day Suzanne ... nicely written on a subject that abhors most people. It's the money folk in faraway countries that need to be hunted down and exposed - thank you Suzanne - Lindsay Suzanne Delaney April 11, 2016 at 6:28 PM That is so true, Laurie: They are supplying a coveted commodity. They could create the same carved horns out of a synthetically molded tusk. It is beyond frustrating to know about it with no power to change it. They are being killed without the chance to pro- create . Thanks for stopping by today. SuZ

Timothy Hicks April 9, 2016 at 12:43 AM It's sad what happens out there in the jungle to these unsuspecting creatures ... I think a species of rhino finally became extinct rather recently ... shows the dark truth of your last line becoming fulfilled. "Who can explain to children, the reality of their storybook elephants or zoo friends?" ... I'd rather not be the one to tell them. Tragic poem you wrote here, but with a great note of caution. Suzanne Delaney April 9, 2016 at 2:17 AM Yes this picture is very haunting. How men can be so barbaric on an issue concerning creatures that God entrusted us to protect is beyond me. Sad about the rhinos extinction. Hurts me to the core.

Lewis Nyaga April 8, 2016 at 2:03 AM Suzanne.. a very relevant and timely poem.. well penned Suzanne Delaney April 9, 2016 at 1:23 PM Thanks for reading and commenting, Lewis: I can only re-iterate. The love of money is the root of all evil.