some just see ivory
great strides to let them be free
content to walk in line
***
joining the herd
sun rises over our resolve
protect the young
It is sad to think that man is the elephant’s primary predator. Because of a love for ivory trinkets and slow rates of reproduction, elephants are at risk for extinction.
Today at Poet’s United the prompt is citizenship.
What is our role as a citizen in these times?
visit the wildlife conservation blog for more info.
“Elephant Silhouette” (Pen drawing layered over photo)
copyright Moondust Designs 2016
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Published by moondustwriter
Thank you for visiting Moondustwriter. One of the many exciting things I've had the honor of doing is writing with an E. African team that is developing elementary curriculum for African children. As a writer, it is a thrill to help children (on all continents) who want to learn.
I've been part of the blogging community for more than 10 years. Some old timers may remember the award winning (2011 Twitter Shorty ) blog community - One Stop Poetry. I was the co-producer of that fast growing blog community.
I am a published writer, poet, artist and photographer. I have written, as well as edited, for periodicals, radio, blogs and fellow writers.
There are many facets to this moon - thanks for stopping by.
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Beautiful poem, and what a strong message within those three lines. Elephants are majestic creatures but sadly some of us just look to them for our own personal gain. Love the image you shared, so well shot. The reflection certainly is symbolic of the two worlds elephants live.
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Thanks Mabel I had fun with the art and giving the elephants front and center today.
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Nice one .
Sad that human is such selfish animal that it don’t mind taking ivory of elephants and show fake love .
@dixita011 from
Cafenined words
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It’s heartbreaking…man’s greed and the elephant’s plight.
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If there was no demand for ivory from so-called developed nations the elephants would be safe….just a random thought with morning coffee.
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It seems like the demand died off but greed never lies fallow for too long.
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The combination of the image and words made me feel sad – how we have the capacity to destroy creatures that pre-date ‘civilisation’ itself…certainly makes you wonder quite what it means to be civilised…but always we must protect the young..
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protect and teach the young and maybe there is a shred then of hope.
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I adore elephants. What a beautiful photo that is. If only they could be left to live in peace, those who are left. Greed does terrible things to people (and to wildlife).
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This is absolutely gorgeous writing Leslie ❤ ❤
Beautifully penned. Hugs and Kisses 🙂
Lots of love,
Sanaa
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I, too, find this poem stunning and motivating. I can squeeze it into an idea of citizenship, I think. “Walking in line” and “joining the herd” are double in meaning–which line will it be? to save the herd or make a fortune? Let the sun rise over the humane resolve. I wish the citizen link was clearer for our prompt, though.
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sorry if my haiku didnt seem to fit the prompt. I was thinking of the world that I work with (children) and trying to stay away from political statements.
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the first line hits hard…i can see those glistening greedy eyes…wow…
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Exceptional Moonie! _m
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It definitely is sad that man is the elephant’s chief predator. Man needs to be a better citizen of the world than that!
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yes he does
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Beautiful and evocative!
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Sadly there is too much of humanity that sees the world as a holiday resort to have fun at the expense of the rest of its inhabitants instead of co-existing to maintain the beautiful world it once was. It is one thing to kill to survive quite another to kill for pleasure and profit and ignore the consequences. How important it is to continue to fly the banner weak though we are as poets.
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Beautiful picture and lovely haiku, one of my favorite styles of poetry. You express the essence of the photograph in your words.
Gail’s 2016 April A to Z Challenge
Theme: The Fun in Writing
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I love elephants too. How sad that ignorance and greed puts them at such risk.
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Beautiful haiku!
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Oh and I agree that it’s definitely a sad world for the elephant at the moment. Thank you for saying such beautiful words on their behalf.
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We humans tend to see what we want to see. It’s hard to change our preconceived notions…
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This is beautiful. And really, how sad that we kill these majestic creatures in the name of jewelry or decoration.
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Thanks Jen for your visit great to meet you through A to Z
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So much said in so few words! And the beautiful image…is that your creation too??
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Any poaching of these beautiful animals is a crime.
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Reblogged this on An Array Of Blogs.
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My thought on reading these wonderful verses was that elephants with their intricate family lives and complex relationships and their amazing fitting into the natural world are better “citizens” than most humans…
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