THE KILLING FIELDS

[Maureen K Clifford]

THE KILLING FIELDS .. Maureen Clifford © The #ScribblyBarkPoet



Their blood now stains the Kossy plains -
their bodies rot, their last remains
are reminiscent of their kin
who also died, not giving in
at Beersheba's last charge -
'twas Aussie horses strong and large
who charged the rifles enfilade to carry men to water.
But there is no war here today -
at least none that gets much airplay.
These brumbies lived their lives in peace,
they did no harm, this cull must cease.
Head counts are wrong, the method flawed,
technology we don't applaud
is being used with avarice - thus causing equine slaughter.



And this is murder so unjust
it fills our hearts with such disgust
to see the corpses on the plains,
devoured by dogs and pigs. Remains
now torn asunder, cast aside,
with white bird droppings on their hide,
where birds and carnivores have feasted, on horses and unborn fetus.
So can we as a nation stand
and let this slaughter underhand
go unremarked, let it continue
or do we fight with every sinew
for the justice Brumbies deserve? -
Our Heritage and sentient herds.
They have no voice - we speak for them. We can't let shooters beat us.


The fight it will continue on
until the last brumby has gone.
But pray to God we never see
that become actuality.
Let common sense please rule the day,
let Aussie people have their say -
let those who can and those who will take over looking after
the management of brumby herds,
with compassion and loving words
not derision - calling them feral -
subjecting them to fear and peril;
but with respect share with our Nation
their history and in summation -
take true pride in our Heritage and history hereafter.


When protocols are put in place
to make the world a better space,
then cast aside, of no account,
by those who set the darn things out,
one has to wonder what's amiss -
how deep pray tell is this abyss?
We elect our leaders to lead, not to make massive blunders.
And now thanks to the faithful few
who dedicate their time - it's true
the world is taking note I see -
on radio and on TV
Hoisted perhaps by their petard
our Government will find it hard
to cover this mismanagement row - Hark! Do you hear the thunder?