The horse tram goes there
over to Granite Island
by rickety bridge
The penguins at home
hidden in their dark burrows
preening on the rocks
Long walk all around
stumbling over the stone paths
climbing over rocks
Scratching our elbows
avoiding a bird's beak's bite
in days now long gone
"There's one" kids would cry
finding one flapping its wings
they used for flippers
But few birds remain
thanks to the hungry fur seals
reclaiming their rights
Struggling to survive
penguins have loosened their grip
on their safe haven
Horse tram still goes there
over to Granite Island
by rickety bridge
Sadly this poem is a true account about Fairy Penguins on Granite Island off Victor Harbor in South Australia and efforts are being made to protect breeding fairy penguins from their predators and human rubbish that abounds around tourist spots and even in the wild. However they are wild animals and looking after them in their own environment is not easy.
Image 1 found at www.escape2.net.au
Image 2 found at www.trevorstravels.com
Image 3 found at www.delwp.vic.gov.au
Wonderfully written. Sad for the plight of the penguins :(
ReplyDeleteMay their tribe increase...they need our sympathy and skill... Thanks for this beautiful post Robin....
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely memory and vision...damn seals..although you have to admire the penguins ability to survive where and when it can - they always strike me as genetically challenged
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos to enhance this reminiscence – with its mixture of joy in what was and sadness for what is.
ReplyDeleteOh this is so sad. The rubbish in the sea and on land is iniquitous. You know it takes only a little thought to dispose of rubbish correctly. People are such f...ing bastards!Sorry ,but this really gets up my nose.
ReplyDeleteShould we let nature take it's course or try to steer in another direction? I know not!
ReplyDeleteWhoopsie..a silly story!
Beautifully poignant..!
ReplyDeleteThey'll strive to preserve their kind though it can be too testing.There goes the natural attrition of such endangered specie
ReplyDeleteHank
Such an informative piece. The fairy penguins are so cute. We also have a beach colony of penguins in Simonstown, South Africa which is a great tourist attraction and important breeding ground.
ReplyDeleteA very interesting and awareness-spreading piece, Robin. So many wild creatures are struggling to survive these days. Loved this poem.
ReplyDeleteIt's so sad that even in their own natural environment, the penguins are having such a difficult time finding protection! Awful.
ReplyDeleteYou've done such a great job at capturing the melancholy that surrounds this kind of not-so-natural happenings. I know things change with time, but some things shouldn't change in such painful ways.
ReplyDeleteAt least the "Horse tram still goes...
over by rickety bridge."
Penguins are such lovely creatures...and so is your poem Robin. Information that needs to be shared. Thank you! :-)
ReplyDeleteThe last stanza is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteI loved reading the poem and feeling what changes and what remains the same--that rickety bridge and the horses.
ReplyDeleteThis was pretty awesome!
ReplyDeleteZQ
Your poem touches on the reality of survival for many creatures. I once watched a documentary on penguins and it was very interesting.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written--it is sad that we cannot seem to find a way to live in harmony with nature
ReplyDeleteI love the image of the rickety bridge...such a metaphor for the rickety plight of the penguins...glad they are working to help them.
ReplyDeleteThe plight of the penguins! I never imagined that anyone would be so inspired when I selected "penguin" as one of the prompt words. Well done!
ReplyDeleteI like the way your poem starts with the good memories, then turns to the sadness of the plight of the poor penguins.
ReplyDeletePenguins are wonderful, fragile creatures. I hope they get the protection they need. :)
ReplyDeleteProtection and activism is only helped by a poem. This definately puts what seems like a complex situation for these creatures into a more personal light.
ReplyDeleteOur world is becoming like a rickety old bridge no long for the crossing.
ReplyDeleteVery moving ... the encroachment into the natural habitat's of wildlife tugs on the heartstrings. So much of the beauty and majesty of nature's pristine environments are slipping away.
ReplyDeleteYes, we are moved by the plight of wild things...and the plight of us all.
ReplyDeleteIt's so emotional and painful. I were touched by poetry.
ReplyDelete