Requiem for Satao

On Friday it was confirmed that one of Kenya's largest male elephants, Satao, an enormous 'tusker', had been brutally slain by poachers for his ivory. I found the killing of this noble animal profoundly depressing and a savage indictment of humanity. It is therefore a lament for an individual elephant but, if the poachers and the ivory-seekers have their way, it may ultimately turn out to be a requiem for elephants in the wild. If this were to come to pass, it would be one of the most shameful and unforgivable moments in mankind's already blood-soaked record of decimating the wondrous biodiversity of our fragile planet. Thankfully, there are numerous people and charities working untiringly to prevent this dread scenario from coming to pass - we owe them a great debt of gratitude.

This poem was inspired by reading about Satao and, although I recognise that it is extremely far from being decent poetry, it is heartfelt and the only tribute I can really offer.

This was your domain, your empire, your land;

The land where you made the mountains shake,

The land that trembled at your imperious command.

The sky paid homage to your regal presence,

The earth knelt before your tumultuous majesty,

The trees bowed in supplication before your rampant charge.

Your joyous, triumphant cry echoed to the stars:

"I am Satao, Kenya's greatest son".

Your tusks shone like pristine snow in the molten glare,

Spearing the heavens with ancient pride.

Now they lie on a far away shelf,

Carved with care into a worthless trinket.

Now you dwell in a different land

The ancestral home where your forefathers roam

The land of eternal splendour,

Where your victorious fanfare will resound for evermore:

"I am Satao, Kenya's greatest son!".