A Mare Comment

[Maureen K Clifford]

As a lover of our brumbies I thought to share this .... soon they will be as scarce as hens teeth as our Government continues to systematically cull them from our National Parks.

A Mare Comment .... ©Maureen Clifford The #ScribblyBarkPoet

She plunged her nose deep in the pool of water for a drink
enjoyed the coolness on her feet as they began to sink
a little in the creek bed mud, around her all was calm
and nearby was her stallion, guarding them against harm.

Her flaxen mane moved with the breeze - tall grasses did the same,
the ripples spread across the pool. This elegant grand-dame
snorted and shook her muzzle sending droplets flying free
sprinkling droplets on the wildflowers growing on the scree.

A lizard sat, sunning himself on rocks there by the creek
he'd not the slightest fear of her, her size or her mystique,
they lived in perfect harmony, and shared the mother’s gifts -
the sun, the sky, sweet water and the shelter of the cliffs.

Her mob were quietly grazing on the summer grasses sweet,
with nothing to disturb them they were well fed and replete,
and the wooded hill behind them offered ample summer shade
where the little foals could sleep awhile, quite safe and unafraid.

The landscape scarred by mankind's greed who we so often find
take what they want with little thought for what they leave behind...
a rough red track had crossed the plain, the imprint of wheels clear
and wires strung from pole to pole proved that man had been here.

But right now all was quite serene, two wedgetails swooped and soared,
small fluffy clouds played chasey - seems perhaps that they were bored.
Her unborn foal moved deep inside, she left the creek to rest
and wandered off to join her mob, with food now quite obsessed.

One can now only hope that they remain here unmolested.
Unnoticed by the men who seems have in their death invested.
Brumbies allowed to live their lives untouched by intervention.
It's wonderful to see them free - Just thought it worth a mention.