In the Dark of Night

The night was strangely hushed and cloaked
by the clouds scuttling across the silvery moon.
The breeze made the night air feel chilled,
yet her flanks were covered in sweat
as she strained, muscles quivering and chest heaving.

It had to be quick as she could hear predators
for now in the far distance yet moving in.
Still she strained the legs and face now visible.
One last final thrust and it is born already
struggling to find its feet and be ready to flee.

Anxiously the mother licked and licked
stimulating muscles, nerves and blood.
Valiantly the baby stands and starts to suckle
its feet going every which way as it fights
for control over its unruly members.

Within five minutes its ready to run
its mother calls it deep into the herd.
Surrounding them with a protective barrier
Out of all this years Zebra foals only a
handful will survive and sire other foals.

The rest falling prey to Lions and other cats
the crocs too will feast at the river crossings.
The odd sickly ones become dinner for hyena's.
Such is life on the East African plains, nature
culls all but the fittest ensuring strong blood lines.

Copyright © 2016 Shadow Hamilton