WHO WEARS THE NAME TAG FERAL? .. Maureen Clifford © The #ScribblyBarkPoet
They named him Mr Pewter for the colour of his hide
And captured him on film and photos on the mountain side
of Kosciuszko’s early morn- out grazing with the brums,
mornings are cold and frosty now – they all enjoy the sun.
His mob is just a small one, but his ladies are a dream.
His favourite is gorgeous with her coat of chocolate creme,
Like the richest darkest chocolate, one could choose for one’s delight
it looks like the softest sable, velvet smooth. A pretty sight.
His son is there – his name is Flint – he’s coloured just like Dad.
From all accounts a larrikin – true blue Aussie lad
who has a right to country, it’s his land, his place of birth,
but sadly, in Australia so few value their worth.
Dedicated photographers take photographs to share
with others in Australia and round the world who care.
Alas it may turn out to be that we who feel bereft
only have photographs to view – that’s all that will be left.
For even as these brumbies were there posing in their glory,
a helicopter circled - its intent bloody and gory.
All the brums below are marked as feral, now targeted prey
for the shooters, if into the killing fields they chance to stray.
We pray for Mother Nature to bring snow to help protect
these innocent and noble steeds – for we cannot direct
their destination, and if they wander from ‘protected’ zones –
they become an easy target; the earth nourished by their bones.
So many brumbies we love, Sampson, Pewter, Hope and Red,
the Liver Mare, the Pally Mare, all Kosciuszko bred
Kiandra Greys, Cheveyo and our old friend Mr T –
Those loved familiar faces are a joy for us to see.
And yes, our pleas for mercy have to date all been ignored –
yet these are Aussie horses and by many folks adored.
You may shoot them and destroy them – though you do so at your peril
We will not forget when votes are sought – just who was really ‘feral’.
17.06.2024
