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Poetry: The jungle

by Heather Foster

Night creeps slowly through the trees
Padded feet silent on the forest floor
Vines reach down catching the breeze
Each new scent potential spoor

Frogs sing out from where they rest
Tongues poised to catch a meal
Night creatures sound their joy
Of how the darkness makes them feel

Shifting light and shadow change
As the moon rises, peering down
Sending seeking shafts of light
Poking through to probe the ground

Ferns dance lightly as creatures pass
Painting spots on all they touch
Fireflies flicker in the meadows
Fairy lanterns light the hush

Thumping feet and crackling branch
Stillness breaks with mournful cries
Then silence once again holds sway
All that remains are glowing eyes

Embers glow in rings of stone
A lonely owl asks questions
The mighty jungle covers all
The endings of man's bastions

Stone pillars, walls and pyramids
Succumb to forest creepers
Tiny roots pry open cracks
Worn into stony sleepers

Fields once open, filled with grain
Now young trees gather dancing
Embracing rain with open arms
Clouds suffer lightning's lancing

Growing light and dimming moon
Signal dawns tiptoeing
Blushing clouds welcome sun
Night departs, skirts flowing

With the dawn new voices rise
While night things seek their rest
Day dwellers join their fellows now
In creeping from their nest

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