The Eye Of The Gorilla

The Eye of the Gorilla

We’d started in Nairobi, and we headed to the West
Through Kenya and Uganda where the roads are not the best
And we moved towards Rwanda, where it bords with DRC
And the Congolese are fighting wars most devastatingly.
But why were we approaching lands of war and Rebel Killers?
For in these jungles live the world’s remaining wild gorillas.

Rwanda and the Congo and Uganda all are linked
By a jungle where the mountains rise as populations shrink,
And the next day we would trek to find some quite endangered creatures:
The sultans of the jungle with the shaggy human features.
The gorillas filled my thoughts that night, the sleep I had was fleeting
They’re the drummers of the jungle who keep Africa’s heart beating.

***

The next day, bright and early too, we met our friendly guides
They briefed us with their guns and their machetes by their sides.
They told us that the guns were only used to frighten off
Any crazy buffalos that we might chance to come across.
“Buffalos!?” I said, amazed, and then I asked them “Will a
Buffalo be seen today as well as a gorilla?”

A grunt was all reply I got, but then I was informed
That the jungle buffalos prefer to sleep when it is warm.
But nonetheless, they brought the guns, perhaps for just in case,
They found a wild buffalo that didn’t like my face.
I thought the guns were just for show, but little did I know
I’d be glad I knew just what to do if we found buffalo…

***

And when we set off walking, I’ll admit I wasn’t sure
Why this ‘expedition’ followed tracks worn in the jungle floor
But my apprehension faded when we left the beaten track
And our guide walked through the densest jungle, never looking back.
But suddenly, our guides stood still (and I stood even stiller)
And I peered into the darkness …….. had they spotted a gorilla?

“Boof-uh-low” was all he said, he whispered it to me,
And then a startled buffalo ran out from in the trees,
And suddenly another four came out to join the fun –
And all that was between us was ten metres and two guns.
The buffalos were huge, and though they numbered only five –
I was sure that if they charged us, we would never have survived.

But the guides were quick, they moved in front, and loudly as they could
They sent the buffalos a-charging off into the woods.
I’ll admit that I was pretty scared, for who knows what to do
When a herd of jungle buffalos are charging right at you?
A herd of jungle buffalos – I’d never have expected!
I now was glad we had the guns and I felt well protected.

We trekked a while more and then my guide said “Hurry please
De go-reel-uz that you seek, you’ll find are just beyond dees trees”
My heart grew quick, our pace picked up, we overcame the pain
With a new found source of energy all pumping through our veins,
Then satisfied, our guides had stopped, I peered ahead to see……
That the eyes of a gorilla stared directly back at me!

The gorilla – I was speechless, I could see why experts say
That they’re three percent away from sharing all our DNA.
I was glad I had my camera there, attached upon my wrist
When we turned into a field with more gorillas in the midst
So beautiful, these creatures, and to me, at least, it seemed
That I was walking with the characters that haunted last night’s dream.

I cannot stress enough how human-like these creatures were
I guess they really almost are (just overlook the fur)
The seven that we’d found, they were without a doubt the most
Majestic and amazing beasts I’ve ever seen up close.
They were strong as well, the Silverback – his arms like marble pillars
The lord of all the jungle and the King of the Gorillas.

We spent our time just watching, blown away by what we saw
It was awesome seeing nature so unspoiled and so raw
We marvelled as they moved about, we smiled as they played,
Our time was quickly whizzing by, I wish we could have stayed.
I was having such a great time and I wish I didn’t know
That our time was drawing to a close and soon we’d have to go.

As if he knew the time, it was the Silverback, in fact
Who let us know our time was up – with one decisive act
He crossed a field, then stared at us (to make it very clear) –

Then raised his head and gave a yell would wake the dead to hear.
And then with all the strength of some industrial machinery
He crashed off through the jungle, disappearing in the greenery.

***

Now I find myself in Zanzibar, reflecting where I’ve been
And I’m overwhelmed by all the things I’ve done and what I’ve seen
From the sweeping plains of Kenya, where the wild lions roam
To the culture – unlike anything I’ve ever seen back home.
And I sometimes think I’ve seen the best; the list is topped until a
Burning in my mind recalls the Eyes of the Gorilla.