I am the last rhinoceros
Ceratotherium simum cottoni
Solitude seems to oppress me
Proud horn too tempting for
poachers soon to be eaten
by lions
The stones so blue so calm alas alas on on the skull the skull
Cut the phallic trophy away
It would make my pockets bulge
Carcass left in the midday sun
Vultures circling overhead
Eager for carrion red
This is the end beautiful friend
Only two females remain
The species finally extinct
For no baby rhinos can be born
Only death awaits
Carpa Dium
____________________________________________________________________
Rhinoceros
For Sudan
by Kenneth Hickey
Bio- Kenneth Hickey was born in 1975 in Cobh, Co. Cork Ireland. He served in the Irish Naval Service between 1993 and 2000. His poetry and prose have been published in various literary journals in Ireland, the UK and the United States, including Southword, Crannoig, THE SHOP, A New Ulster, Aesthetica Magazine, and The Great American Poetry Show. His writing for theatre has been performed in Ireland, the UK, New York, and Paris. He has won the Eamon Keane Full Length Play Award and has been shortlisted for The PJ O’Connor Award and the Tony Doyle Bursary. He was shortlisted for the Bournmouth Poetry Prize in 2022. He has been selected for the Poetry in the Park project and awarded a poetry mentorship by Munster Literature Centre. His work in film has been screened at the Cork and Foyle Film Festivals. He holds a BA and MA in English Literature, both from University College Cork. His debut collection, ‘The Unicycle Paradox’ was published by Revival Press in November 2021. He still resides in Cork.
Follow Kenneth at:
Twitter: @hickeyken Instagram: @kjh_poetry
Facebook: www.facebook.com/kenhickeycork
