the jungle has been trampled
weeds grown tall
tower over the remains
of the habitat
in this god-forsaken place
tourists dont come
the zoo overrun
the animals free and wild
would devour man or child
the buildings disarray
the people gone today
unless a gun in hand
to calm the nature of the land
the moss overhangs
the wild birds swoop
the jungle encroaches
animal spirits no longer droop
the tiger proud and free
stalking anxiously
the monkeys chattering
laughing hysterically
the flowers trod and trampled
the walkways overgrown
nature overtakes
a raging storm is blown
tred softly, War is hell
enter cautious through this vale
nature stalks, feels no remorse
man does not belong here
unwelcome visitor
becomes fodder
tasty morsel
should he wander
there is a land in Africa
the tourists populated
War the visitor, fear to flee
the place now decimated
Sherry Gilles ©1998 June 14