STOP Killing Rhino!

Harry Owen  on FaceBook today:  “If I can do this, anyone can! Please join in and help raise awareness for the rhino today. Thank you!”   

 

@FrancesMForde  #FrancesMacForde   @StopKillingRhino  #HarryOwen  #Africa  #Nature  #Rhino  #Elephant

 

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Chuffed

Yesterday, I received my copy of  For RHINO in a Shrinking World,  the anthology published to raise awareness and funds of their plight.

Just a quick flick through and I am very impressed.  Although my entry ‘Thandi‘ wasn’t successful, those that were are worth a read.

So I posted my poem up on the  ABC Tales board  and received some complimentary feedback and today – a cherry!

Thank you to the ABC Powers That Be for making my Sunday.

 

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Elephants

My daughter’s studio. #JessicaMcCallum © 2011

My daughter Jessica McCallum’s  3rd exhibition ‘All the Pretty Ones Are’  (all things Circus) was held in 2011 at the Heath Ledger Theatre foyer in the new and exciting State Theatre Centre.

I feel the poetry I wrote to the artworks of  that exhibition, was some of my best; particularly this one written from a childhood memory of the circus coming to our small town in Africa.  Although he was an Indian elephant –  African elephants can’t be tamed and I love them more, for that.

The Global March for Elephants and Rhinos is a call for a world-wide response to the continued senseless cruelty – the terrible things happening to these beautiful, wise, gentle creatures.

Just weeks ago what’s said to be the largest bull elephant in Africa; Satao of Tsavo in Kenya had his face hacked off for his magnificent tusks!

All this information is thanks to  Harry Owen on Facebook:  I’ve  mentioned before, his book to raise funds for the cause of saving Rhino’s and can’t wait for my copy…

Meanwhile  I thought I’d share another of my poems from that exhibition.

Artwork 2 of 4 from the ‘Play’ series, sketch in progress. #JessicaMcCallum © 2011

 

When I was a child

I remember thinking

that chain around

the elephant’s leg

wasn’t strong enough.

 

Elephants are tough!

 

If he wanted, he

could free himself just

by lifting that mighty foot

shaking the metal loose

and walking away…

 

Why does he stay?

 

No-one could stop him

If he chose to go, take

his own path. No more

performance on command

– he could find some green.

 

Walk through jungles again!

 

Elephants are tough so

why does he stay, stroll

through sawdust, put up

with that lady who leans

into his ear, whispering…

 

It’s because he loves her.

 

#FrancesMacaulayForde   #JessicaMcCallumArtist  #AllThePrettyOnesAreExhib  #HarryOwen  #GlobalMarchForElephantsAndRhinos  #SataoOfTsavo

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Rhinos

Busy doing my tax return and came across an unsaved (!) poem I wrote and submitted (some time ago) to be included in an anthology to raise funds for the preservation of Rhinos.

Harry Owen  the inaugural Poet Laureate for Cheshire (UK) in 2003, moved to South Africa’s Eastern Cape in January 2008, was the editor and now the book is published I shall put my order in.

Even though they didn’t use my poem I certainly want to support their very worthy cause.

Thandi

Imagine slow, deep heart beats

echoing inside a massive hide.

 

Slumberous half-blind grazing.

Open veld rare rhino protected.

 

Unaware evil stalks with intent.

Crack! Stinging rifle shot thrums.

 

Laboring body lumbers to escape.

Laid low, as deadly saw crudely

 

works on pointed bone bleeding

on Africa’s Skin.  Enough death,

 

illegal trade.  This is no noble

harvest to feed the starving poor…

Frances Macaulay Forde © 2012 

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