A Poem Completed

A Grey Rhebok Darting, 8 December 2017. Copyright 2017 Forgotten Fields. All rights reserved.
Another photograph of the Grey Rhebok during its flight. (Taken 8 December 2017)

The two “A Rhebok!” verses are complete, and they are indeed the variations I had initially chosen, enriched by my work on the alternatives. They recount a sighting in late 2017 by my mother and I of the rare Grey Rhebok, a threatened species.

The first stanza describes the scene—the antelope on the hillside—the second, the creature’s reaction upon becoming aware of our presence—a wary and momentary interest followed by a flight to safety, the instant I produced my camera.

I shall, of course, reflect upon the poem in the days to come, but in the meantime, I turn my attention to “Mist from the Mountains”, a sketch composed on the same day as “A Rhebok!”, later in the afternoon when there was a change in the weather.

Mist on the Mountain, 8 December 2017. Copyright 2017 Forgotten Fields. All rights reserved.
A change in the weather. (Taken 8 December 2017)

Poetry Publication Progress (2019-09-01)

In an act atypical of my modus operandi, I have been unofficially developing the “A Clapper Lark” sketch whilst officially working on “A Rhebok!”. This is in part because the larks are very active at the moment, keeping the sketch fresh in my mind. Though I prefer devoting myself wholly to one poem at a time, I find simultaneously exploring another provides (at least in this instance) an engaging diversion. Besides, I cannot help but think of possibilities for “A Clapper Lark”’s verses—its theme and style are irresistible!