Ngululu the Wild and Free porcupine from The Meerkat Magic Valley Reserve of The Meerkat Magic Conservation Project ( http://www.meerkatmagic.com ) - a very shy and secretive nocturnal resident of the reserve that I filmed at 1 am. South African porcupine (Hystrix africaeaustralis). As a professional wildlife research biologist and Nature Conservationist I (Grant M. Mc Ilrath - A.K.A - The Meerkat Man) often stare in complete wonder at the natural world around me, and often feel inspired to try and capture the essence of what I experience, by painting it in words. Countless times over the decades I have upset certain audiences with my eco- journalism and conservation inspired poems and passion for nature - I hope these poems reach a positive and receptive audience as nature conservation, although my profession should be a concern of every citizen of this incredible planet we all call home. This poem is called: Pied Delight by Grant M. Mc Ilrath - A.K.A - The Meerkat Man - A Conservation Through Education awareness poem about the plight of the porcupine... In the moonlight Glistening bright Snorting, snuffling Through the black velvet light Your pied cloak of bristles rattle You stamp your feet Gnawing, chewing, natures feast Roots, bulbs you search for and eat Who mocks your defensive beauty now? They wear what is not theirs by right! Your ancestors have walked on this silent path Generations past Who now arrives to plunder your Ancient splendour? Your own defensive measures Now become human pleasures Trinkets, necklaces, oh so grand they feel Around their necks, and hands, lamp stands Can they not feel, your pain… As your lifeblood is drained? To fuel their desires, To quench your rodent life fire… But what is the true cost of this pied ivory treasure? When seen in nature It has value beyond measure A living, protected treasure Humans rage about you chewing on water pipes Yes, you sometimes dig these out, Gnawing on them it is true If only they raised these pipes up, Along a fence… You could not chew on these, If beyond your reach No longer would you damage what they put there Nature and humans Living together in harmony, And understanding… Then perhaps they would not kill you, Then sell your defence, and lay a snare! They could protect you, Oh crater plough on legs Breaking up that hardened soil, So new life and water can become entrenched., Previously barren, dry soil can now become drenched You are a pioneer farmer mammal of ancient wisdom You live in balance with life around you… But still humans mock your natural wealth They do not use stealth They rip and tear They have no care But to lay their snare Destroy your ancient earthy home When will this madness cease? When will they begin to care? It is too late when you lie in agony In their unselective snare Then they come, To pull out, Pluck you clean What used to shimmer and gleam A Pied Delight, your quills become A perverse lust… Now your quills lie in shops to be sold Is it now your curse, This once proud prickly cloak, Gathering dust… Now you are hunted day and night Do none care about your plight? Who will be your voice? Who will be your champion? You should have a choice To live in peace To be left alone, in nature’s home Humans mock your beauty when they support a demand That can’t be sustained The porcupine population, Is being needlessly drained Until none shall remain Who will champion your plight, Precious, harmless forager of the night? Nature needs you to dig, and plough To distribute new seeds as only you know how… To maintain the balance To live free of fright Fifteen years or more you may live Following ancient footprints We wish to experience your delight Understanding that you are a priceless treasure When alive and free Nowhere are you farmed or bred for your quills Simply killed to pay the bills We hope that those who read these verses understand So many have no voice who live off the land Without your support of their plight Without you saying no They have only one place left to go… Extinction is forever, darker then night When you support unsustainable products You end up killing the very source of the beauty That once roamed alive and free…

• published: 01 Sep 2014
• views: 4