The Beasts
by Diane Height
The grass on the African savanna is bright and pale and stands tall. It moves like the waves of the sea casting subtle shadows everywhere. The morning mist gradually burns off as the bright sun moves higher in the cloudless blue sky. Hot winds blow through the tall acacia trees and thorny bush as the silent beasts move slowly, cautiously, eyes focused on their prey. The beasts blend in as puffs of hazy brown dust fly up from their powerful paws. Anticipating. Knowing.
The grass on the African savanna is dull and listless, as it collapses to the hardening ground. The early morning is already hot as the sun beats down. Breezes blow through the tall acacia trees and thorny bush as the silent beasts barely move, watching their prey. The beasts blend in as hazy brown dust flies up from their powerful paws. Waiting.
The grass is sparse, dry and brittle. Large patches of brown dot the landscape. Heat floats up from the earth. Everything is still, not even a breeze in the acacia trees and thorny bush. The beasts blend in as they walk softly, carefully, their heads down, breathing hot dust. Wondering.
The grass is gone. Whirlwinds of dust swollen with insects are all that is left. The beasts cannot hide from their prey. They do not move.
Diane Height’s writing is inspired by her love of travel, adventure and the world at large. She recently spent time in Africa working with cheetahs to help educate people about this beautiful animal. In an earlier life she passed her wisdom along to 5th graders as an elementary school teacher. When she's not writing, she enjoys her new grandson, Bodhi. She has stories forthcoming in All Things Girl, Clockwise Cat, Della Donna and Sand.
Where do you get the ideas for your poetry?
This particular piece, “The Beasts,” was inspired by my love of Africa and the wild animals.