The Stench Of Extinction

Sumatran Tiger 5 (6964685356)

I am a tiger cursed with the stench of extinction.
My days are numbered by a bullet prophesy
spoken from the tip of a gun.

I’ve been robbed of generations
so I could be a trophy for egos
high on death and greed.

My DNA holds the glory of adaption,
water survival, isolation, bold stripes.
I am the glory of perseverance.

Sumatra, you are my home.
I cry you can’t save me from humans
infected with the myopic vision of blood lust. 

©Susie Clevenger 2017


You can read more about the Sumatran tiger here. This beautiful animal is nearing extinction. Poaching and deforestation are the enemies to their survival.

Photo credit: By Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK (Sumatran Tiger 5  Uploaded by tm) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Comments

Jim said…
I call it the grey wolf-tiger race, racing towards extinction. There is no adaptation allowed for the bullet decease. (Note I used the other form of adaption.
..
Anonymous said…
So real. So sad. Thank you
brudberg said…
tyger tyger burning bright...
Why don't we do it right
to your fearsome symmetry
to let you be and let you stay

My heart beets for the tiger too.
grapeling said…
the worst legacy of h. sapiens: taking so many other creatures out before us ~
Anonymous said…
A feral response to one of the challenges ... both ruined forest and empty cage.
rallentanda said…
I have been to Sumatra. All the old growth forests have been destroyed as well. The
likely extinction/destruction of this magnificent creature is a testament to the
wickedness and vileness of mankind.
Kerry O'Connor said…
So very sad to see the extinction of many magnificent animals in out lifetimes. I makes me shudder to read your lines, but they are words that need to be said.
Sanaa Rizvi said…
It's so tragic that these magnificent creatures are nearing extinction.. sigh. You give a powerful voice to them. Beautifully rendered.