MAJOR AND GENERAL

(names of the 2 brothers in the picture that were rescued and now reside in a wildlife park in Ethiopia, and are featured in the Born Free video i have on site)

Inside I writhed, my conscience churned,

At the nightmare that was visible to all.

Their hollow world they languished in

Of concrete, iron bars and barbed wire.

Searching your eyes, a banal existence

Emptiness had taken your spark

Only a sorrowful defeated calm remained.

Cowering confused at the conversation,

Of sticks, stones and sneering-

Like you were an exhibit at Madam Toussauds.

The shock that my kin-folk could inflict such horrifying torture,

On such as these, magnificent fiery chariots,

Who just wanted to live in freedom,

As they were meant to live,

And never the twain should meet.

You called to your ancestors for a due reckoning,

A scourge on those who plucked you from your

Native plains, rocky thrones and sovereign outposts

That is your kingdom and yours alone.

I choked down the bilious rage and sorrow,

I like the others turned away

As you roared your tale of woe,

But then I roared back

And from hells catacombs I set you free.