The distant bells of 2017 begin to chime again
The seasonal rains begin to fall
Fostering the growth of new grass
The wildebeests indulge to feed and fatten
Mothers give birth to healthy calves
Yet with the season that comes
Crocodiles yawn in anticipation
And the jackals and lions
Cheetahs, leopards and hyenas
Skillfully hide their hunt
Patient for loin
We wait for the magic
Indescribable wonder swaying even the knowledgeable
Soon the herd will gather on the bank
Toing and froing across the ford
In relentless sequence
Calves bleating and bawling
Straight to the wide jaws
Some separated from their mothers
There is no going back for them
There is no adoption by other herds
Stragglers are forced to move on
The crocodiles finally have their day
Coming from their rut
To feast and laugh
Yet for those that cross
There still is no escape
For the jackals rush to their anticipation
Devouring mothers and fatigued calves
The dissidents will wither off
Malnutrition too awaits
The predators always win
With the song of the wildebeests
When they cross in hope of life
But their only ending is death
