Survival 3 - Jungle

Nature finds a variety of ways to survive and flourish in the many jungles on the planet.

An abundance of creatures,

inhabit these green places.

All evolve with special features,

different lifestyle each embraces.

The Equator holds the key,

it circles 'round earth's sphere.

Plenty sun supports each tree,

and moisture's there it's clear.

*

Asia and Pacific 'isles',

have jungle all around.

Many creatures, varied styles,

in that region are still found.

Giant Panda under threat,

staple diet is bamboo.

How could we humans let,

their numbers get so few?

The Orang-utan is wary,

so orange and long-haired.

To some it may look scary,

but of people it is scared.

*

South America can boast,

a plentiful supply.

It has jungle coast to coast,

but to save it we must try.

Stealthy Jaguar rosettes,

move amongst the green.

Unsuspecting prey it gets,

caught in jaws unseen...

Those dark and humid places,

where no life seems to be.

Snakes and Insects leave no traces,

as they move around a tree.

The jungle floor decay,

produces life so base.

Evolution shows the way,

Funghi species with no face.

*

In Africa the Congo,

is home to many types.

Chimpanzees who's troops go,

and neighbour's territory swipes.

Forest Elephants to Ants,

and all species in between.

Monkeys with their chants,

many noisy but unseen.

Climbing vines all clinging,

from jungle floor and rising.

So many birds heard singing,

the variety surprising.

Frogs that live on trees,

just coming down to breed.

Plants that put the squeeze,

on insects as they feed...

The largest primates are,

Gorillas in the mists.

From our kind not too far,

but still walk on their fists.

*

Just 3% of land,

is jungle it's now known.

Mankind must understand,

it must be saved and grown.

Another hectare cleared,

'cos God we like to play.

Is catastrophe not feared?

It's just a thought away...

* * *

Author's Note

I aim to entertain with my natural history poetry but if it also educates I'm pleased.

Reviews

I might be reading these in the wrong order (from 4, to 3 and so on) but they still seem brilliant. You create such a colorful and lively scene, I have never seen the rain forest before, but your words have transported me there from my living room. Again, humans seem to be destroying that beautiful habitat. Your poem is brilliant but comes with a moral.