Human(un)kind

In a verdant forest rich and thick,
choicest berries and nectar to pick,
Jocosus spied in olive and yellow,
dazed and soaked who’s this fellow?

You look like me except the hues,
but suffering quite a case of blues,
whence you from, whither bound,
don’t mind but never seen around.

I am Gularis from the land far west,
in search of a place to feed and rest,
like your place I had my woods too,
doom befell thus had to bid adieu.

Fear not bro there’s plenty at hand,
you are family welcome to this land,
to roost and feast plenty to share,
all your needs the wilds take care.

Grateful as I am for you are so kind,
I’ve got to warn you of humankind,
they invade and destroy all at sight,
brutal and reckless look at my plight.

Slashing and chopping woods at will,
stopping at nothing and eager to kill,
plunder and waste laying holts bare,
a matter of time they’ll eye this lair.

My dear cousin your caution is fair,
but Jocosus will stay intent to bear,
for ages Mother has kept us blest,
so die if I will but close to her chest.

Listen to Gularis o brother of mine,
this human is sly and has no spine,
bearing hatred in a heart pitch black,
he’s just stabbed Mother in the back!

[In the picture: The Flame-throated Bulbul (Pycnonotus gularis) and the Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus) against a backdrop of abundant blooms of Ukshi (Calycopteris floribunda).]

– Narendra Nayak © 2019

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