Macatoo by Lynn Rowland

The day dawned clear, first of the year
It seemed to us, boarding the bus 
To take us away with intentions to play in tributaries reaching far and wide
where horses and animals move side by side.
Across the plains, through woods and marshlands,
water beneath us and then dry sand.
Dry break beckons, with the haunting cry, of the giant fish eagle passing by

And the francolin not to be outdone,  let’s out a screech to say  'I've won.'
That's where we were, without a care
For five nights of bliss, not even a kiss from husbands at home and children and kids.
As lions roared, the raptors soared.
Giraffes showed us grace as we quickened the pace
through thickets and trees and grass up to our knees.

The waterways choked , we were all soaked -  happiness is and happiness was.
Elephants came, but never the same,some big some small, some with no tusks at all. !  
They reigned supreme - the territory theirs, their destruction compares
with  lunar landscapes of pillage and rape.
But nothing can shake the resolve that they make,
We are here to stay, so get out of our way.
The buffalos tried to quicken our ride
200 of them created a dust, that absorbed, encompassed, enthralled 8 of us.

The youngsters protected, we all thundered by 
looking ahead to the horizon and sky.
The zebras and wildes decided that day, to take a fast gallop and break away
which saw us all, at the risk of a fall, turn sharp left and bolt
Over terrain impossible to explain.
The hours became days the days became nights
No one wanted to put out the lights.
The moon glowed brightly the sun burnt down
the cicadas chirped - then there wasn't a sound.
Random thoughts through the days will rebound, reassuring all we were really around,
In our own piece of paradise giving a freedom
the essence of which will remain with us all, through winter, spring, summer and fall.
Oh Makatoo, we do salute you.

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