I've never been to Kathmandu
it's highly unlikely I'm ever going to
and I don't consider macaques the least bit holy
while some there choose so to do
tho' they may be Nepalese aristocracy
no they won't make a monkey of me
such couldn't leave me any colder
as it's all in the mind's eye of the beholder
and who decides what is 'God'
of all possibilities chapter and verse in the universe
why give such Old World primates the nod
how about a slug or a ladybug
polyphyly and insects are equally relevant too
in fact if we're allegedly created in 'His' likeness
why not me... or even you?
In 1773 the sun never set
on the British Empire so goes the story
now the 'Teatime Islands'
crumbs of Great Britain’s former glory
but as the moon rose over the White Cliffs of Dover
standing guard at the Gateway to England
ramparts the enemy to forestall
if the ravens left the Tower of London
the kingdom itself then would fall
and Britain would rule Gibraltar
one of the Pillars of Hercules
so long as macaques inhabit the Rock
another of man's legendary absurdities
but should those Barbary apes depart
the British too will soon follow
and the Overseas Territory come apart
yet to save the primate population
Winston Churhill did insist
in the early days of World War II
reinforcing British rule would persist
to ensure the troop replenishment
he issued a directive September 1944
for five such females brought from Morocco
to maintain the number at twenty-four
and so it seems my friend in the end
the continuance of this green and pleasant land
is in the balance and totally dependent on keeping
a certain breed of bird and Old World monkey on hand
snowy mountains glow
along springs* bubbling God's warmth
macaques soak themselves
*Psalm 104:10 He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills.
January 17, 2022
1st place, "A STRAND (1055)" Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Brian Strand; judged on 1/20/2022.
Edited on January 21, 2021
Appalachian Mountains for hiking so awesome
Beauteously inviting while snow-blanketed…
Carpeted with ice, Niagara Falls stop cascading
Delightfully stunning along frozen water display…
Enchanting hot springs in Japan offer healing efficacy
Fascination-sites as macaques soak themselves fabulously…
Grand Canyon midst snowflakes shines radiantly gorgeous
Hoisting hopefulness for trekking, never hampered…
Interesting glaciers in Alaska with roaming moose’ impact
Jubilant indeed, along aurora borealis spectacle, wondrously joyous…
Kindled with serene ambiance is Swiss Alps of gorgeous viewing keys
Lake Geneva offering panoramic scenes likewise…
My birth province, blest by God* with garden terraces’ marvels
Nourishes Winter virtual vacation with gladness along nostalgic nurturing….
*1Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
January 16, 2022
"Modified Double ABC"
8th place, "Winter Wonders Within Nature" Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by M. L. Kiser; judged on 1/23/2022.
Old world monkeys, the macaques, they are glad to be alive
Once upon a time they would have lived to be twenty-five
Unfortunately, there are only a thousand left today.
They eat fruits, seeds and nuts, and they are never in the way.
But the trees are being cut down in big bunches, falling on the lawn.
Their shelter is disappearing, habitats are few for the trees are gone.
Humans encroach, building houses where macaques used to be.
They used to live to be twenty to thirty, now they’re lucky to turn three.
Harlow's Pit
The pit succeeded. Harlow's toy
infected all with doubt.
Alone, the young macaques despaired
in bins with no way out.
The pit was steel, with sloping walls
some food, a grate, and spout.
No mother's love while growing up
just fear with no way out.
The pit was made to last. For years
the world began to shout,
but Harlow grinned and left them there
in pain with no way out.
The pit was Harlow's own design,
a sadist wit quite stout.
He felt the cancer eat his wife
and love with no way out.
September 1, 2017. (based on accounts of Dr. Harry Harlow's experiment 'put of despair' to inflict despression on infant macaque monkeys by keeping them for years in isolation chambers). Written for Sara Kendrick's contest "Stuck."
Dive into water
Foraging around for food
They play in it too.
Copyright Cynthia Jones
Watching a nature show about all kinds of animals.
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