Wild Bards Sing the News

Rambling through southern Africa
Broad faces with Roman noses nodding
Humped shoulders sloped
Family Bovidae
Even-toed ungulates
Largest of the antelopes

Genus Connochaetes
Manes and beards flowing
These Teachers keep us
Up to date on our
Shamanic journeys
Warning of challenges
Failures along the way
As well as offering advice
on how to cope

"Everyone has their place within the family
Supporting, helping everything to flow
Intricately instinctively precise
Even if some of us wild beasts
branched off
About a million years ago

Larger brindled Blues remained
on the Ancestoral range
Changing little except perceptions
Matrons moving with the rainy season
One herd among many
Shifting shape in the greatest migration
Horns swept up to either side
Receiving inspiration

Earthy Blacks,
White tufted tails flashing
Horns curving defensively foreward
over our brows
We adapted our nomadic ways
Claiming new territories
from Kenya to Namibia
Taking turns at sentry
Grazing, guarding the family
while we drowse

Be Steadfast
Be Brave!
For the journey is long
The dangers as real, as great
As the potential rewards
Know when to stand your ground
When to run away
Living to fight another day.
Remember the safety
The support to be found in numbers
Yet don't hestitate to lead
Rather than meekly follow the herd

Beware the laughing hyenas
The grinning crocodiles
The friendly vultures
Anticipating your failures
To provide their feast.
Be aware,
But don't let them stop you
For your bold leap ahead
May be what saves you

Travel is necessary
to broaden the mind
Encouraging tolerant fellowship
With herds of varying stripe
Honing skills as well as instincts
Our calves almost hit the ground running
An action as necessary to survival
As knowing when the time is ripe."



 For those new to the game, each poem is inspired by a Teacher found in Nature; a star, stone, animal or plant with lessons for those who listen. Can you guess who is singing today?