Silently, under cover of darkness
an elephant child is born.
He feels the comfort of his mothers trunk
as he blinks in the first light of dawn.

The monkeys cry “it’s a boy, it’s a boy,
and look at him isn’t he cute”.
A male gorilla drum beats his chest,
and the bonobo throws them some fruit.

The forest is filled with lively chatter,
from excitable chimpanzees.
Juvenile Infants play peek-a-boo
while their mothers watch from the trees.

How caring she is with her progeny,
encouraging him up to her teat.
Kneeling beside him to give him support,
gently nudging him up to his feet.

A colorful sun bird sings from a branch,
to welcome the new baby calf.
While a pack of spotty hyena’s skulk;
suppressing their sinister laugh.

Two marble eyed gecko’s stop on a leaf
and chirp in the foliage green.
Until they spy a juicy fat beetle
and scurry away from the scene.

He’s greeted by a fanfare of trumpets
and caressed by his next of kin.
He stands between pillars of concrete strength,
‘neath a fortress of suckle soft skin.

His brothers, sisters, aunties and uncles
hurry to his aid when he calls.
Each of them keep him safely protected
and secure within fortified walls.

His father walks away from the forest,
smiling with his gentle brown eyes.
He gives a last look, then disappears,
Into the shimmering haze of sunrise.