The new Hippo had escaped that night
Driven from the mating pond
by two rambuctious females
with whom he couldn’t bond

The Zulu tracker Moses
asked if I could be of aid
Over coffee and a cigarette
our plans were quickly made

In the dark and early hours
I saddled up Dingaan
a fast and spirited stallion
The pride of all Arabians

Moses met me on his mount
at the first break of light
I checked the gear and donned my chaps
ready for the ride

We galloped off o’er golden plains
that Zulu man and me
on a journey deep into the bush
alert, alive and oh so free

A newborn Rhino toddled
under his mothers watchful eye
His father started toward us
to hasten us on by

We approached a water hole
and scoured its muddy banks
But no sign of that Hippo
was among the many tracks

We continued on our quest
past ruins left by the ancient ones
who lived and hunted in this place
before the white men came with guns

Dingaan froze and snorted
as a Warthog darted from the brush
Unafraid it scurried by
with blood still dripping from his tusks

We took a break to eat our lunch
in the shade of the Acacia trees
where we watched a herd of Giraffes
feast upon the highest leaves

Under noonday sun
we continued on our our ride
past herds of Kudu grazing
and a watchful Lion pride

A large Monkey in a distant grove
leapt out from a tree
Howling he came charging
across the grass toward me

Dingaan reared and whinnied
to ward off the angry beast
The Monkey turned and ran
back to its haven in the trees

Another water hole but still
no missing friend
So on we rode not knowing
if today our search would end

Through tall grass we continued
toward rocky higher ground
until we reached a plateau
where we heard a thundering sound

The huge herd came from nowhere
encircling us in a whirling speed
Round and round they ran
the Zebras and the Wildebeests

I can’t explain the feeling
that went rushing through my soul
surrounded by this surge of life
with the world spread out below

When the dust had settled
and the herd went on its way
we descended toward a valley
where we hoped to spot our prey

The sun was sinking lower
when we came upon its tracks
To beat the sun we hurried on
there was no turning back

Ahead there was a clearing
And there was our Hippo
gazing up with glowing eyes
while bathing in a water hole

Moses radioed the camp
and we waited for the guys
to come and take that Hippo back
to the two he did despise

With the golden hour now fading
I mounted up Dingaan
Like the wild wind we raced
across the bush and back towards home...
so far away from home

© 2006 Edwin Dante Larson