Nature Poems

Poem of the Week for April 1st 2008

Do the Skins of Rhinoceros’ Blend

When visiting a zoo I was privileged to learn that the male rhinoceros, for all his energy and size, is only a very occasional lover: he and his chosen lady rhino will mate only once every two years. On the particular day of my visit, I was secondarily privileged to observe the male ‘preparing’ himself for that rare moment!

Do the Skins of Rhinoceros’ Blend

Once a double year he roams the open plain with blind eyes,
finds a giant mate, and snorts for their irregular tryst
when magmas stir.
Thick nerves taut he rams her gutter,
locked and bellowing throughout
his opposite-horned, reciprocating, air and cleavage cleaving
thrust and rut.

But do his great trunked legs thrill
does his underbelly's sensitivity graft to her in congress
does his dumb mind know the momentary mute articulation,
feel the fleeting, real impaction?

Do the skins of rhinoceros's blend? As ours, my love,
as ours?