Serengeti

A poem by Ashling Miller

Words by: Ashling Miller

Artwork by: Leoni Fretwell

Serengeti

The trees stand by and shiver

As we stomp past in a trance

the arid land begins to quiver

At the thought of our advance

We navigate north of Ngorongoro

In search of serenity and sustenance

Retreated the rains that revived us

Only now Guided by innate Governance

Heads bow to the sovereigning sun

Dusty shadows stumble and sob

Though in thousands we move as one

Elders, new young, a majestic mob

I wish I knew where we’re going

And if the rut will ever end

For survival I must keep flowing

With every ancestor, enemy and friend

striding along stripes of monochrome

Mass Herds of Nomadic duplicity

We’re free to Roam not bound to home

We drift in rhythmic simplicity

Until

Inviting Illusive ripples mask a ravening artillery

Evading the Mara’s torpedos of scaly Agility

Tear and thrash

Claws gash like knives

Screech and slash

Kin lose their lives

Crunch and crash

Dancing, Death thrives

Just cross over

Then check who survives

Watch your children drift off on a meandering gurney

Savour who’s left, ‘til the same southward journey

Kenya waves a wealthy welcome

To our long awaited return

Gifting shimmering shelters, feasts and fun

Allowing the trudge to briefly adjourn

But don’t be fooled by this Venus fly trap

All havens hide a Poisonous sap

Weaving shadows with fangs a blade

Keep us in our cyclical perpetual parade.

Longing for rest for my infants and troops

Longing for rain the relished confetti

Our implausibility treks in laborious loops

Through the Ever changing divine Serengeti

Ashling Miller

This poem features in Volume 6: Into the Wild. Click the button below to shop the full volume now.