Blood Ivory

Look out with newborn eyes' first awe.
Feel the hard beat of land so raw,
Sense the breadth of its bare soul. 
Feel it pierce above. Below.

We knew not the cost for man,
To walk, to gaze upon this land.
Land built on bones, hide and dust,
Remaining witness to unholy lust.

Evil ones who kill and maim,
Taking down in sport insane.
Leaving rhino souls in graves unjust.
Bought down to powdered, crumbled dust.

Ancient shadows walking through,
Looking out from the bush, straight at you.
Apparitions living, yet ghosts of past,
Not knowing if this breath will be the last.

Watching those who aid the damning lie,
Seeing rhinos shot, stumble, and die,
Blood ivory stolen, slashed off for gold.
God damn those with hearts so cold.

One by one, horn by horn, their spirits go.
Human greed may leave us none,
This great armored-one of the past,
Laid low to lust and avarice.

Spirit asks we honor those ancient ones killed,
Humanity end now the blood-ocean spilled.
A sacred promise there forever be,
Rhinos wild...African and free.