I've wrestled great whites,
plucked tail feathers
from swooping eagles,
stared down a Sumatran tiger,
laughed at black bears,
& with one punch
decked an angry hippo,
caressed to exhaustion
writhing boas,
pleased to punch
deadly black widows,
& overcome with smiles
protective lion mothers,
to spend the next four years
facing off
with that
deluded idiot-child
the great orange one,
will be
an
utter
breeze.
Through the forests of Sumatra
Through the dark and sweaty jungle
Proud and fearless pads the tiger
Pads through bamboo, palm, liana
Powerfully swims across the water
Webbed feet pounding ‘gainst the current,
Unaware of near extinction
Forest dwindling, disappearing
Shrinking by illegal logging
Teak for tables, chairs and profit.
Will our tiger last the decade ?
To our children, ancient history ?
Ancient history, myth and mystery
With the sun-bear and the hornbill ?
Spring to action like the tiger
Planting trees and education
Guardians all of unique creatures
We can save the Sumatran tiger.
Your eyes stare at me
Wild beast beautiful and proud
Who so freely roamed
Regal Sumatran Tiger
God creates then man destroys
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