Matriarch of Pride
Nkosasna drove our land rover along the elephant track
Rutted Kalahari sand, three hundred meters deep.
Acacia, mighty baobab spread their branches here,
Where rain falls into the depths, as does the animal blood.
Ukwane, !Kung hunter gatherer, modern tracker now
Pointed to pride of lion; Matriarch led to acacia shade.
Guided to our canvas tent by armed warden of the wild.
Woke at night to lion roar, their walking through our camp.
Nkosasna driving. Ukwane tracking, we followed lion spoor.
Dawns light shadowed disturbed sand, cape buffalo limped away.
Two lion tracks – not the male - One the Matriarch.
Why did they stop each kilometer with droplets marking sand?
Around a bend, in acacia shade, the Matriarch lay down.
Head sunk down between her paws; oldest sister stalked away.
Great tear on farther thigh, bloody gore upon her chest,
We drove away to river bend, saw hippo and giraffe.
Returning saw a vulture perched, on near acacia tree.
Matriarch head slumped aside, sister guardian nearby.
Ukwane called the wardens, shut this track to all safaris.
Grant Matriarch wild respect; huntress for pride and cubs.
Next day we stopped at distance, with binoculars to report
Matriarch sprawled on unhurt side, vultures waiting in the trees.
Next morning sister guardian gone; scraps of skin, cracked bone remained.
Vultures flown, hyenas gone; droppings fertilize the trees.
We passed the pride one last time, moving on to other camp.
Sister guardian standing there; New Matriarch of Pride.
© David W. Oliver 7/5/09
