Serengeti plains alive with sunshine,

tundra under daily heat and dust haze,

reeboks drifting to the nearest water,

as Zulus sing.

Ochre blanket settles over thorn tree,

impis roar in war or reputation,

diamond mines abandoned to the future,

or some new King.

Wild and painted proteas in flower,

midnight mist exists for life and beauty,

seasons pass and rivers run to glory,

and bell birds ring.

Lion licks his lips as sky is bruising,

Wildebeest and zebra wait for teeming,

ostrich run in fear from thunder's fury,

the raindrops sting.

Swollen old Limpopo slows to creeping,

silting land for future beast's adventures,

soon the black clouds sound retreat in mourning

some Sky God's fling.

Bok and jumbo brothers for a moment,

sharing green with cat and jackal's laughter

all too soon the sun returns to smiling

on everything.

Strew my ashes at the Nile's beginning,

bury me with bushmen on the high veldt,

leave me rest beside the Kalahari,

eternal Spring.
 

 More of my NATURE POEMS