Aurochs to Zorra

Bubale

Bubale


In the mountains and on the plains
our forefathers grazed,
Yours went north, mine south
to where I forage.
Now those who drove you to your grave
have journeyed here to spoil this too.

Only in the memory of those long dead
do you exist,
a drawing in a dictionary,
a two-line text,
describing black hair, mighty horns,
a wild ox, they called you.

O Aurochs!
Who will write of me when I am gone?
No room for other species here!
When one exalt above the rest,
needing space
to breed the millions.
Multiplying two-legged roaches,
taking all there is
and leaving us to starve.

I write to you
to ask of you:
Who will write of me
when I am gone?
Who will draw the curves
of my great horns?
Must I be remembered
only in the books
of those who vanquished me?

O Aurochs, who remembers now?
save your ancient friend, Bubale.


© Kåre Enga

bubale: a large antelope (Alcelaphus bubalis) of Egypt
and the Desert of Sahara, supposed by some to be the
fallow deer of the Bible.