the last rhino

 By John Kaniecki

His eye is on the sparrow
Your song says that is so
Your Creator He created me
I was born
Born to be free
Like the lions who hunt pray
Like the monkeys who jestingly play
Like the ants who march in line
Like zebras running so fine

Adam he was your first
I have known your worst
They have slain me in scorn
My body desecrated
My spirit hated
Their prize---my horn

What shall they do with it?
That cost my life to forfeit
Hang it as a trophy upon their wall
To tell glamorous stories to recall
How in an utmost cowardly act
They shot a gun from behind my back

I am animal yes it is true
Far different we are from you
True we kill, some of us to feast
But you, you are the beast
On Africa’s fields I lay rotting dead
As assassins bullet inside my head

His eye is on the sparrow
I know that is so
He enjoys their song in morn
It was the reason they were born
In me too He had His delight
I too was precious in his sight
Once our herds were without number
Now in death, extinct we slumber
I of all creatures would surely know
For you see I am the last rhino
Hear my words let them not be vain
Humanity is captive by those insane
Hear my words as softly I explain
Your job it was to tend the garden
But greed your heart it did harden
Take your prize that you lusted for
A notch on your belt, another score
And I, I am no more

An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth
A horn for a horn
In fire creation it shall die to be born
On that day you shall weep, wail and mourn
Feel the horror of your wicked woe
These words are true they are so
Spoken by the last rhino