Zebra At the River

distinct call of zebras, to another, a warning, not to move any further! a long snort with a few more neighing sounds, as they cross Mara between sandy mounds. passing across the river from Kenya, to vast green pastures of Tanzania. migration has to be made twice a year, survival the key, starvation the fear! understand nature. with it God’s puzzle! the choices to be made in life’s struggle! hundreds in a dash across the river, air resonates with fright, voices quiver! their fate is to swim a few feet across, escaping sharp crocodilian jaws, with wild lions on rampage, leopards on prowl, zebras of all ages, mothers with young foal! in their struggle to survive against odds, their emotional upheaval strikes chord, with people who face similar events, of loss or gain, in challenging moments, yet the journey has to be made for sure, against chances of fate, prayer a cure, threat to zebras are savages with teeth, striking from bushes or from underneath, enemies of man may not look like beasts, devils dressed in kindness, their words are sweet, in crossing life’s river wisdom is key, prayers and experience with which to see. 2nd Placement written 5th December 2021 10 syllables each line Zebra - “Z” poetry contest Constance La France sponsored