United We Stand….

October 8, 2017October 8, 2017 Jen

Dedicated to all wildlife enthusiasts coming together across the globe to

stand

Thank you all.

As custodians of this beautiful earth…powerful in our stance

Fighting against extinction….still given the chance

Our lungs exhaling the cool London air

Our combined energy pulsating…as one we share

A passion for these animals and their untamed splendour ….which is ours to protect

Entwined together with nature…..a mutual respect

Across the globe united…an unstoppable force

Doing what is right by these animals

PEOPLE

It is a conscious choice

ARE YOU LISTENING?
DO YOU HEAR THEIR CRIES?

‘Why us?’ the matriarch pleads…sorrow clouding her wise old eyes

‘Is a tusk cursed head enough reason for elephants to die?’

Mystical ivory steeped in greed and fears

A fusion of genes spanning millions of years

Walking with balance and beauty…yet poached for their horn

These animals cruelly left….gasping for life….faces mutilated and torn

Consumers of Rhino horn…..hang your heads in shame

Your demand for rhino horn….inflicting excruciating pain

ARE YOU LISTENING?

A hauntingly lonely road of ghosts…a sea of empty space

Magnificent wild world…disappearing without a trace

PEOPLE

Listen in on their world hear their pleas

No to rhino horn and ivory….a moral decree

Be the change this world needs ….hold your heads high

An echo of harmony…thrown wide to the sky

Teach the children well…they are the future.

Rory Young addressing the crowd in London on 7th October 2017.

Chengeta Wildlife provides essential training and support to the

heroes on the front lines in the fight against poaching

Let Us Do Right By These Animals….

June 27, 2017 Jen

A request for an impromptu talk on the Zimbabwean bush, elephants and Chengeta Wildlife

caught me on the hop. However, after taking a deep breath I started to talk

and the passion I feel for the bush, the elephants and Chengeta begin to shine through.

Let Us Do Right By These Animals

What is it you love? their eager eyes hold mine

I flash a smile…my face softens and I begin to shine

My heart dances to an African Beat

My spirit soars as their eyes I meet

My mind reels away to another time and another place

My pulse quickens and begins to race

Moonbeams spill gently caressing the night

Twinkling stars ghost like whispers of light

Dry leaves crackle…seduced by the a frolicking breeze

Morning twilight peeks softly…as darkness flees

A cacophony of bird calls fills the African dawn

A horizon stitched in gold…glows on the glorious crisp morn

Spiderwebs like fine gossamer sculptures sparkle with dew

Cruising the empty air pockets….a fish eagle with a birds eye view

Nature’s gifts…shared with us for free

Fast flowing rivers….rich diversity of wildlife and gigantic trees

The musky smell of wet earth after thunderstorms and needle like rain

Miracle of new life unfurling….revealing a world of timeless wonders…

A world we should not tame

‘Go on…tell us about the elephants’….they smile

Collecting my thoughts…I pause for a while

Large wrinkled rumps weathered by wind and rain

Pilgrims of Africa….ambling over sun kissed terrain

Ponderous..yet graceful under the wide open sky

Stopping as one…their versatile trunks reaching up high

Long sweeping lashes as dark as a moonless night

Veiling wise eyes flecked with golden sunlight

The earth trembles with each massive tread

Dusty promises …. and by their iconic matriarch led

Africa shaped ears romancing the breeze

These mega gardeners of the veld…uprooting trees

Graced with an ageless beauty…light on their large padded feet

To watch them in the wild..such a life changing treat

I feel my heart hammering…my eyes fill with tears

My stomach turns over and I am overcome with fears

An aura of dignity hugging their sides

Mystery tusks held out wide

Behind their wrinkled visage…a wise and ancient soul

The burden of carrying their ivory…taking its toll

Invisible winds blowing a dry warm breath

Poachers ensuring that elephants dance a dance of death

People….please …. you have to listen and become aware of the elephants plight

Let us do right by these animals…

Support Chengeta

Support the good fight

Rangers risk their lives to protect the wildlife

We give them the skills and knowledge needed to win

A Mystery From The Past

May 13, 2017May 13, 2017 Jen

Our weekend delve into fossils and bones at the Natural History Museum in Oxford

inspired by our wannabe Paleontologist granddaughter

A Mystery From The Past

Still magnificent and imposing in your skeletal form

One of Africa’s pride…come to rest far from where you were born

Once a great icon from a distant place

Carrying the rhythm of life…full of wisdom and grace

I lean in and whisper…..

‘Where did you mark the sand with your gigantic tread?’

My thoughts spool away imagining your handsome and noble head

Africa shaped ears fanning….powerful trunk thrown up high

Mellowed by the sunshine from a wide open sky?

A rump full of wrinkles weathered by wind and rain

Kicking up dust as you amble across the rough terrain

Eyelashes lowered and heart pounding to an African beat

Harmony in motion where continent and elephant meet

Loxodonta Africana……I murmur your name

Where did you come from? I beg in vain

My mind wanders…..desperate to unravel your time

A small warm hand slips gently into mine

‘How did this elephant die?’ …..dark brown eyes fill her dear face

‘Did this elephant disappear without any trace?’

‘Who has your rich creamy ivory?’ I yearn to know

Your personal treasure…the almighty on you did bestow

My heart feels heavy…did you die alone

Far away from your sun kissed country …. your home

No one to caress, examine and scatter your bones

Loxodonta Africana….enormous of tusk and limb

Your skeleton on display…..and yet so empty within

Millions of people stop and on you stare

On the fragility of your iconic species….are they aware?

Loxodonta Africana….I whisper…I turn to walk away

On the survival of your kind…we will continue to fight

to ensure another day

We pioneer an intelligence-driven approach to anti-poaching: We equip rangers with the proactive and reactive investigations, apprehension and tracking-pursuit skills they need to anticipate, locate and apprehend poachers.

A Future For The Little Ones…..

February 12, 2017 Jen

This poem was inspired by a comment Larry Laverty made on one of the posts I shared. He

said ‘A future for the little ones. Peace for the big ones’ with a beautiful photo of

an elephant.

We need to start giving back to our natural world to ensure a bright

future for us all.

A Future For The Little Ones….

A warm and sticky breeze frolics…ruffling the azure sky

The solace of untrampled lands and clouds drifting by

Ancient trees full of life….boasting of massive girth

Knobbly roots burrowing deep within the earth

Sunshine like liquid gold spilling from above

A symphony…a rustling and the mournful call of a dove

Sultry scents melting away …..into the cool of the night

Moonbeams teasing with a silvery light

Pain behind her wrinkled visage….deep fissured trunk held up high

Her great elephant heart pounding…..she lets out a cry

An agonizing stab…..she starts to bear down

Trumpets of joy as her baby begins to crown

Deep rumbles roll with a thunderous applause

An impenetrable wall of tusk and muscle….as one the cows pause

Tender trunks welcoming….their eyes reflecting the warmth of early morning sun

A miracle of new life…..has just begun

Tottering and clumsy….she clambers to her feet

Her small heart pulsing to an African beat

I dream of these great lands from memories past

A rich diversity of wildlife wandering on plains so vast

Time is of the essence for every breath that we take

The rising sun will bear witness on changes we make

Secure a future for our natural world….as solid as granite outcrops

weathered by wind and rain

Bestow peace on the wildlife…..my heart hammers with pain

Become a beacon….a beam of hope and light

A voice for the voiceless….and a future shining bright

We strengthen those who protect wildlife and promote harmony between man and nature through a philosophy of RESPECT.

Take a look at our website….we are a huge part of the solution

Image of mum and elephant by Four Oaks and bought on Shutterstock

African Prayer

December 31, 2016 Jen

A sun kissed horizon welcomes the new years dawn

Gilt edged clouds languish….seduced by the warmth of early morn

Sunshine like powdered gold filters through the trees

Tantalising scents drift….buffeted by the breeze

Early morning choruses …..throats swollen with bird song

Thrown to the wind….powerful and strong

Africa’s tawny pelt ripples….rustling under the wide open sky

Majestic mountains stretch….reaching up high

Midges rise and hang motionless…mellow in the sun

The birth of a new year has only just begun

My wish for 2017

*****

Swirling whirlwinds and balmy heat

Elephant herds parading…the continent throbbing beneath their feet

Their deep rumbles rolling with resounding applause

Chattering monkeys fall silent…comical as they pause

A crash of rhino….noble heads held high with pride

Tall and stately giraffe with their lolloping stride

Pronking springbok and grotesque baobab trees

Fast fresh flowing rivers undulating with ease

Grunting hippos and barking baboon

Trees swaying gently…dancing to a merry tune

Strutting warthogs…tails like aerials held high

Haunting call of a fish eagle cruising the sky

On wings of spun gold…butterflies soar on the breeze

Basking lizards peer skywards…fearful as they freeze

Slender cheetah….speed on their side

Bad tempered buffalo…lethal horns held out wide

With tail swishing and a deep throated roar

The king of beasts swaggers….menacing and tall

*****

To all the wildlife rangers….their dedication and valour defined

Their journeys in adulthood gallant…selflessness in mind

Brave in their ongoing battle…protecting the wildlife from mankind

Deepest respect to each and every one of you….and harmony may you find

*******

Compassion unfurling…..the white dove of peace spreading her wings

May 2017 see darkness fading….as harmony sings

Rangers risk their lives to protect wildlife….we give them the skills and knowledge needed

to win.

Hope

November 15, 2016November 16, 2016 Jen

Two tonnes of magnificence…..with her cruelly disfigured head

Yet…Hope was

Harmony in motion with each mighty tread

Her fight for life tireless…..her warrior spirit strong

Her wild rhino heart beating to a rhythmic African song

Out of the deep shadows and into the moonlight

Hope lies down gently….no longer able to fight

Her heart beat slowing….no longer a powerful thrum

Leaves flutter sadly….her journey on this earth done

On a gilt edged cloud she drifts….catching the sultry breeze

The silence of eternity her companion…..her soul floating away with ease

Leaning into the warm wind…..now a bright heavenly star

A beacon of hope for her kind…..shining down from afar

The gentle hush of evening carries our heartache and pain

Never let go of ‘hope’….the wind whispers her name

Fireflies will ghost….. like murmurs of the night

Fueling our courage to stand up for rhinos…and to fight the good fight

RIP Hope

‘May her great courage bring hope into our hearts….

Now and forever’

Desert Pilgrims

November 11, 2016 Jen

Chengeta Wildlife sharing the knowledge, skills and abilities to enable anti-poaching

units to maintain and perfect competencies after the trainers have departed.

Helping to ensure that Mali’s desert elephants survive.

Fold upon fold of wisdom……undulating gently from side to side

As graceful as dancers…….majestic in their stride

Full of unwavering honesty they saunter….strong and proud

Throwing up flaxen dust……a glorious gossamer cloud

Frisky calves caper….secure in the herds love

Surrounded by warmth and bright sunshine spilling from above

Deep rumbles roll with a thunderous applause

Echos of harmony….as one they pause

Embracing the breeze gently….large ears fanned out wide

Soft sensitive trunks like pendulums… swinging from side to side

Large noble heads…curve of spine strong

Large hearts beating to an African song

These gigantic pilgrims trek like desert ships in the night

Hot fresh piles of dung steaming in the moonlight

Rich creamy scythe like tusks more valuable than gold

The elephants cross to bear from times of old

The drum roll of Africa rippling through the desert sands

The wild aching solitude in this unforgiving land

Dusty shadows slipping under large padded feet

Organized crime and shimmering heat

Survival of this desert herd…..Chengeta Wildlife’s ultimate goal

Saving Mali’s elephants…..as poaching takes its toll

Set Nosey Free

September 22, 2016 Jen

Photo credit Richard Isley

SET NOSEY FREE

Nosey’s large heart pumps with an African beat

Torn from Zimbabwe, her home….after culling deadlines to meet

Boxed and crated…..trembling with fear

Shipped to a foreign country….losing all she holds dear

Thirty solitary years has passed her by

Iridescent tears cloud a sorrowful look in her eye

The sweet scent of the African bush wafts through her mind

Echoes of memories past…of elephants….her kind

Twilight’s full of crickets and warm mellow African breeze

Where thick canopies adorn the sun kissed trees

Being gently caressed by a mother’s strong love

A night full of stars beaming down from above

Those gentle rumbles….Nosey yearns to hear

Not the brassy circus sounds…grating on her Africa shaped ears

Sadness and pain behind her wrinkled visage

Betrayed by humans and their quest to pillage

Nosey aches for kindness and a freedom to roam

INSTEAD

Confined to a trailer…..her prison….her home

Forced to carry humans and to endure crippling pain

A lifetime of servitude for man’s monetary gain

Her world empty of elephants…..her mind soaring away

Her heart pounding with fear as back and forth she sways

Legs scarred by decades of wearing heavy chains

Captive and lonely in a world gone insane

I dream of Nosey in a sanctuary with sunshine from above

Comforted by elephant rumbles….surrounded by love

PEOPLE…..please sign the petitions and let’s set Nosey free

In sheer numbers we hold the power…..we hold the key

Retire Nosey the elephant from the circus industry

We DEMAND that Secretary Thomas Vilsack of the USDA CONFISCATE Nosey the Elephant AND RELEASE her to a True Sanctuary.

Once you have signed, you will receive AN EMAIL THAT YOU WILL HAVE TO CONFIRM! MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW THIS STEP TO GET CONFIRMATION THAT YOUR SIGNATURE COUNTED

Please share this petition link with your family and friends….every signature counts and Nosey needs our

help to set her free

Sign for Nosey has a face book page. Take a look and join the event

New Jersey is Taking Steps to Ban Elephants in Traveling Acts – Nosey’s Law

(Nosey is a 46 year old African elephant that continues to be forced to travel the country to fairs and other events to perform and give rides to those that attend those events. She is forced to work even though she has crippling arthritis and degenerative joint disease and, according to reports, has been denied veterinary care. Despite Nosey’s suffering, her owners continue to make her work.)

Are You Listening?

August 27, 2016 Jen

ARE YOU LISTENING?

Insects thrum to a wild African beat

Shimmering mirage and suffocating heat

Billowing clouds tumble across an angry sky

Forked lightening cleaves the heavy air….as thunder rolls on by

A moon full of beauty….spilling beams of aureate light

A gateway for destruction….adding to the rhino’s plight

Are you listening? Do you hear the Rhino’s cry

Or are you a silent witness? I hold my breath….I sigh

A menacing heat swirling…..an evil shadowy haze

Whirlwinds of destruction….a testament to man’s evil ways

A myriad of rhino footprints left over 40 000 000 years

My heart beats wildly….pumping with fear

The cry of the rhino…..who out there cares?

Callously mutilated and left for dead

These magnificent animals with their horn cursed heads

Not on our watch…….I beg…I plead and I pray

DON”T BE A SILENT WITNESS

Stand tall for rhinos today

Chengeta Wildlife is spearheaded by Rory Young who dedicates his

life to saving the wildlife by providing essential training and support

to the heroes on the front lines in the fight against poaching.

Celebrating Elephants On World Elephant Day

August 12, 2016 Jen

In an explosion of gold the sun caresses the new dawn

A symphony of bird song seduces the mellow morn

Silken spiderwebs as delicate as gossamer lace

Kissed by the sunshine in this magical place

Elephants full of unwavering honesty amble into the light

Bronzed by the sunshine….a magnificent sight

Mystery behind their wrinkled visage….a powerful life thread

The steaming earth pulsates with each massive tread

Deep elephant grumbles rolling like thunder on the sultry morning breeze

Flaxen dust hangs motionless… freckling russet leaves

Their grey coats wrinkled with passing time and wear

Eyes full of wisdom, compassion and……despair

Their Africa shaped ears thrown out wide

Versatile trunk tenderly cherishing a dusty calf shadowing her side

Sweet smelling elephant dung….steamed warm in the afternoon heat

Iconic giants of Africa…..light as dancers on their large padded feet

Amber eyes reflecting the warmth of the late evening glow

Magnificence on these giants….our maker did bestow

Mystical ivory steeped in greed and fears

A fusion of genes passed down over thousands of years

Large wrinkled rumps roll from side to side

An impenetrable wall of tusk and muscle…..they are Africa’s pride

Whispers from the elephant world in their darkest hours of need

Time is of the essence….consumers of ivory take heed

A world without wild elephants…..my mind veers away

Let us celebrate these majestic animals

on World Elephant Day

Celebrating the spectacular Indian and Asian elephants today

Thank you Rory Young and Chengeta Wildlife for your continued

training and support to the heroes on the front lines in the fight against

poaching.