Poetry, memoir,blogs and photographs from my world on the west coast of Canada.
Thursday, July 20, 2017
The White Lions of Timbavati
The white lions of Timbavati
are wandering through my dreams:
star lions, sent to earth on long ago moonbeams.
Hunted to near extinction by humankind,
who know not that our fates are intertwined
with the white lions of Timbavati.
Humanity, so blind.
These beautiful creatures commune with the aware.
They carry their message of life with us to share,
as they wander, white and luminous,
through my dreams.
They came to earth for us and now,
because of us, they leave.
Their fate is linked to ours;
how unimaginably I grieve
for those star lions, sent to earth, in trust,
on long ago moonbeams.
I have been reading about the white lions, some of whom were rescued by Linda Tucker of the Global White Lion Trust and who live in their homelands of Timbavati, in the middle of a clutch of canned "hunting" compounds. Shamanic wisdom declares the fate of humankind is linked to that of the white lions. It is said if they disappear from the earth so will humankind. There are hundreds held captive in canned hunting compounds in Africa, to be shot by "hunters" in a closed area with no escape for the sum of $35,000 and a piece of their souls. There are thirteen living in the wilds of their natural habitat, protected by the Global White Lion Trust. Linda has devoted her life to protecting the white lions. It isn't looking good, folks, for the lions or for us. But we live in hope that the global consciousness will awaken before the 11th hour. Actually it feels more like ten minutes to midnight at the moment.
This is so very tragic, Sherry. Your poem points out the tragedy in such a strong way. You are right when you say, Sherry, that it isn't looking good for either the lions or us. This poem breaks my heart.
Hunted to near extinction by humankind, who know not that our fates are intertwined with the white lions of Timbavati. Humanity, so blind...............So true,Sherry. If only those would except that we are so intertwined with the animal kingdom........Really liked your final stanza too. Enjoyed this, Sherry
What an ugly species we are. I know that Australian zoos are planning to take 80 endangered Rhinos in order to preserve a herd free from hunting in Africa. In this way once territory can be made secure they (or their descendants) can be returned to their natural habitat. Clearly with a predatory animal like the lion this would be more difficult. Perhaps making it a crime to kill an endangered animal might be the answer (even if it is done in a foreign country).
This is a most horrendous situation - one which I feel most strongly about. Your post is well-timed with the offspring of the lion known as Cecil trophy-hunted in Zimbabwe this last week.
This is so beautifully emotive Sherry! Especially touched by; " Their fate is linked to ours; how unimaginably I grieve for those star lions, sent to earth, in trust, on long ago moonbeams."
How wonderful that the white lion wander through your dreams....it is true...we are hurling through space to meet our "end", karma will rule...humans won't be missed.
Love the image of them coming on moonbeams. Here, we are dealing with bears and keeping them out of our corn! A sighting is a gift but not in my garden. We just lost the last of our chickens to raccoons. The wildlife is stronger than ever this year in rural VA.
You are such an eloquent spokesperson for our animal friends, Sherry. Personally, I'd like to see the hunting preserves outlawed, and anyone who pays $35,000 just to kill a beautiful animal sent to prison for the selfish, soulless species they are!
We care little about lions and mankind and only selfishly about ourselves....the sheer greed and power of this demise of both species is enough to sicken me....I grieve too and hold to that 11th hour of hope that enough of us will rise to stop the insanity.
I am glad there are people like Ms. Tucker and you. No, I guess things don't look good, but we have good people still willing to stand up for what is right.
Your feelings come through in this. As I said before. I am gad I was born when I was.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful video and interesting thoughts indeed. Good to hear that about Linda who is doing a selfless job. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThis is so very tragic, Sherry. Your poem points out the tragedy in such a strong way. You are right when you say, Sherry, that it isn't looking good for either the lions or us. This poem breaks my heart.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful words about a very moving story.
ReplyDeleteI do wish, these thoughts gain global momentum so billions of voices can be raised together to protect endangered species...
ReplyDeleteHunted to near extinction by humankind,
ReplyDeletewho know not that our fates are intertwined
with the white lions of Timbavati.
Humanity, so blind...............So true,Sherry. If only those would except that we are so intertwined with the animal kingdom........Really liked your final stanza too. Enjoyed this, Sherry
A passionate write Sherry - you are a true guardian of the earth
ReplyDeleteSuch a heartbreaking story! Is being human that difficult...I wonder...
ReplyDeleteWhat an ugly species we are. I know that Australian zoos are planning to take 80 endangered Rhinos in order to preserve a herd free from hunting in Africa. In this way once territory can be made secure they (or their descendants) can be returned to their natural habitat. Clearly with a predatory animal like the lion this would be more difficult. Perhaps making it a crime to kill an endangered animal might be the answer (even if it is done in a foreign country).
ReplyDeleteThis is a most horrendous situation - one which I feel most strongly about. Your post is well-timed with the offspring of the lion known as Cecil trophy-hunted in Zimbabwe this last week.
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautifully emotive Sherry! Especially touched by; " Their fate is linked to ours; how unimaginably I grieve for those star lions, sent to earth, in trust, on long ago moonbeams."
ReplyDeleteWow im just blown away by this beautiful story and your ode to the lfe of white lions
ReplyDeletehappy Sunday Sherry
much love...
I pity (I guess that's the right word) any creature whose fate is intertwined with the human race right now. We are on shaky ground...
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that the white lion wander through your dreams....it is true...we are hurling through space to meet our "end", karma will rule...humans won't be missed.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful animal. Very sad.
ReplyDeleteLove the image of them coming on moonbeams. Here, we are dealing with bears and keeping them out of our corn! A sighting is a gift but not in my garden. We just lost the last of our chickens to raccoons. The wildlife is stronger than ever this year in rural VA.
ReplyDeleteEloquent argument for our responsibility.
ReplyDeleteZQ
You are such an eloquent spokesperson for our animal friends, Sherry. Personally, I'd like to see the hunting preserves outlawed, and anyone who pays $35,000 just to kill a beautiful animal sent to prison for the selfish, soulless species they are!
ReplyDeleteWhen will we learn? I want to just scream sometimes--
ReplyDeleteHumanity seems to be way too good at the art of ignoring the obvious, especially when it comes to our survivor. *sigh*
ReplyDeletesurvival*
DeleteWe care little about lions and mankind and only selfishly about ourselves....the sheer greed and power of this demise of both species is enough to sicken me....I grieve too and hold to that 11th hour of hope that enough of us will rise to stop the insanity.
ReplyDeleteA powerful and important piece. Thank you for bringing this sad story to my attention, Sherry.
ReplyDeleteMay your invocations call on the moonbeams to extend their dance with lions much much longer. May the guns melt in the hunters hands.
ReplyDeleteWonderful write. I felt their importance in your words. Well-expressed.
ReplyDeleteMagnificent creatures and you write with a visible passion on their behalf,
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
Heartbreaking. Beautifully penned.
ReplyDeleteI am glad there are people like Ms. Tucker and you. No, I guess things don't look good, but we have good people still willing to stand up for what is right.
ReplyDelete