Poetry Thursday 103 - Patting a Pachyderm

 The richness of human life is often embellished by interactions with other species. It is a set of experiences, interacting with animals, which seems necessary to the majority of us. 

Patting a Pachyderm

 

I didn’t have its permission,

the keeper gave us that,

she could have made lots on commission,

lived like an aristocrat.

 

We visitors were fully enthralled,

she was as placid as a millpond,

we touched her gently when called,

intelligently she didn’t respond.

 

Her skin was warm, dry and rough,

I felt an indescribable thrill,

feeling a tenderness so tough,

the presence of powerful goodwill.

 

I wondered what she was feeling,

for me unfathomable privilege,

her response was unrevealing,

her superiority is acknowledged.

 

Without doubt she had presence,

lucky to be in her space,

the power of her essence,

put we humans in our place.

©David L Atkinson July 2025 

God Bless 

Poetry Thursday 101 - Silverback

More from the wonderful natural world. All creatures great and small.

 Silverback

 

Massive in both ego and size,

being aggressive is no surprise.

It falls short of following through

an attack – just as well for you.

 

A gentle, giant, family beast,

caring for each member large to least.

An animal with power to be a thriller,

the dominant silverback mountain gorilla.

© David L Atkinson February 2016 

Woodlouse

 

Is it an insect or some kind of fish

it lives on land but what is its wish.

Would it be happier under the sea,

where it could roam about totally free?

                                                         

A dull looking creature with hard outer shell,

creeping ‘neath stones and doors as well.

An unwelcome visitor inside your house,

the persistently silent, harmless woodlouse.

© David L Atkinson January 2016

God Bless 

Poetry Thursday 100 - Natural World

 As time flies by my interest seems to be drawn to the wonders of the natural world.

Night Lepidoptera

 

No heavily beating wings at night,

subtle shades that diffuse the ambient light.

A whispered, feathery brush against cheek,

resulting in a piercing, nervy shriek.

 

Automatically drawn towards the light

cooking themselves in suicidal flight.

No reason to worry yourself to a froth,

It is only a common or garden moth.

© David L Atkinson November 2015 

Duck

 

A fowl which communicates in quack,

allows water to flow from its back,

that waddles, dabbles and paddles in equal measure,

allowing the casual observer endless pleasure.

 

Colourful or drab but always waterproof,

charming, amusing never aloof,

a delight for every quality cook,

our garrulous, feathery and tasty duck.

© David L Atkinson June 2025 

Owl

 

Death on silent wings whispers by,

searching the Earth with keenest eye,

ominous and powerful in the darkness,

poised to strike with lethal directness.

 

Exudes a calmness in the daylight,

stares at humans, eye clear and bright,

this bird is no common fowl,

but the silent and powerful owl.

© David L Atkinson December 2015 

God Bless 

Poetry Thursday 89 - Fauna

 Animals give us lots to talk about and enjoy. At various times, I have 'had a go poetically', some of which appear below. 

Rhinoceros

 

The rhino is a serious beast,

careless of where it places great feet,

wearing its suit of grey armour,

a dimly sighted herbivore.

 

A private, keratin-horned creature,

threatened by hunter and poacher,

if we fail to curb the rhino abuse,

loss of the creature's what we’ll produce.

© David L Atkinson April 2025 

Night Lepidoptera 

 

No heavily beating wings at night, 

subtle shades that diffuse the ambient light. 

A whispered, feathery brush against cheek, 

resulting in a piercing, nervy shriek. 

 

Automatically drawn towards the light 

cooking themselves in suicidal flight. 

No reason to worry yourself to a froth, 

It is only a common or garden moth.

Duck 

 

A fowl which communicates in quack, 

allows water to flow from its back, 

that waddles, dabbles and paddles in equal measure, 

allowing the casual observer endless pleasure. 

 

Colourful or drab but always waterproof, 

charming, amusing never aloof, 

a delight for every quality cook, 

our garrulous, feathery and tasty duck. 

© David L Atkinson November 2015 

God Bless 

Poetry Thursday 77 - MoL42

 A deal of time is spent considering the meaning of our lives and reflecting on what we should or shouldn't do with our time on this earth. Is it possible that you have little or no influence in these areas and that we are of little relative consequence? 

MoL42

 

The issue is raised periodically,

an answer is never forthcoming,

solving it is possible, theoretically,

is the solution a matter of winning?

 

Six weeks if counted in days,

Egyptian judges examining a soul,

Sun-Earth system ends in galactic years,

an Adams creation for us all.

 

Deep Thought’s response in 7.5 million years,

Marathon to Athens an identical numeral,

the total number of Tibetan rulers,

and column lines in the Gutenberg Bible.

 

Carroll used it in The Hunting of the Snark,

and for those feeling somewhat low,

not desirous of games or a lark,

the angle of light hitting water for a rainbow.

 

In reality MoL = 42 is Adam’s jest,

life is managing change with guile,

meeting death and strangers the best,

then, before you sleep look back on today and smile.

© David L Atkinson January 2025  

God Bless 

 

Poetry Thursday 41 - Secretary Bird

 This is simply a celebration of one of God's creations given a very human name. 

Secretary Bird

 

An eagle on stilts with a kick like a mule,

sitting afore glowing screens tasking demurely,

in your outer office but nobody’s fool,

an efficient taskmaster working ruthlessly.

 

Quills quivering in anticipation,

stalking purposefully towards unsuspecting prey,

some luckless menial striving for perfection,

unaware they are coming to the end of their day.

 

No ordinary administrative Moneypenny,

clothed in her black and white finery,

but an elegant and efficient repository,

ready to stomp with final authority.

©David L Atkinson May 2024 

God Bless 

Writing - Naked Ape

 True or false. Does it matter? In these days of scams and false news what does the photo below show?

Is the orang really offering to help the man out of the pool? 

There has been all kinds of speculation but if you take the photo at face value it still speaks volumes. It may be that the orang is demanding food or just wanting contact. Perhaps it is going to rip his arm off and beat him senseless with the bloody end. Is it taking the 'mick' and preparing to flip him the finger? Different interpretations are our domain. 

The facts are simpler to a point. The man works in an animal sanctuary with the orang utan so they 'know' each other. It could be that the beast wanted food, reassurance or was offering help. The bottom line is that an undomesticated ape was reaching out a hand towards the human animal. On a simpler level the ape was not afraid of the naked ape. 

There are many instances where it is claimed that dolphins and whales have come to the aid of people in trouble in the sea. The above is from a claim that a dolphin rescued a dog and returned the canine to its owners. It could well be true because whales and dolphins are very intelligent creatures. Our interpretations are valid as far as they can go because we cannot communicate with the apes and sea mammals to ask them about their intentions. In any event it is fun to speculate. 

My hope is that for the sake of the naked ape there is some truth in the actions of the above. It would make the world a kinder place. 

God Bless 

Poetry Thursday 37 - Unexpected Friend

 Friends come in all shapes and sizes, they also last for different periods of time. One group of friends that we need to hold in higher esteem are those who are not cursed with apposable thumbs. 

Unexpected Friend

 

It’s good to walk in the country,

peaceful, full of familiar smells,

listening to the sound of shoes on tarmac,

 the birds singing in the air,

crunching of grass beneath cows’ feet.

 the occasional sound of mooing,

sheep bleating,

horses neighing.

 

When in the country you’re never completely alone,

one creature or another watching,  

occasionally they communicate,

 snuffling or an exasperated sighing.

 

 He was there at the low point where the gate cuts into the hedge,

 standing big, brown nearly black in places,

flecks of grey in his mane and round the muzzle,

 deep brown/black liquid eyes, all-knowing watched as I approached,

no way you could go past and ignore such a magnificent creature,

he’d seen life go by innumerable times.

 

Takes a bit of courage to walk up to such a beast,

 he must have stood 16 hands,

 commanding respect,

something that big deserves respect,

he wanted to talk to me in his own way,

 I raised a hand and gently stroked his nose,

he was happy, it was fine, he snuffled his permission,

perhaps he’d sensed a common soul as I’d walked head down,

enjoying the air,

 the nature.

 

What sort of life had he had?

I didn’t know how old he was,

 perhaps retired from farm work,

maybe he’d been some kind of show hoss,

 he was in good condition, coat shining like a new suit,

somebody obviously cared.

 

 I knew I’d walk this way again,

next time there would be polos,

they love polo mints,

even with large teeth and huge lips

 they manage to scoop a polo mint from an open palm,

they eat very politely, keeping lips together,

you can hear them crunching solidly.

 

We communed for almost half an hour then he took his leave,

I had provided a service but now he was done,

a toss of his magnificent head,

he trotted away.

Was it something I said?

I think he knew I would return.

© David L Atkinson April 2024 

God Bless