Animal poems - Gorilla
Gorilla
... strong, impulsive, present
Gorilla in the rainforest mist,
I hope you know I admire and adore you.
You big, beautiful, magnificent beast,
I ponder on how your chest got to be so wide.
A frame to support your broad shoulders and strong arms,
A roar that echoes down the valleys of the mountains and across lakes.
Even when invisible in dense foliage and deep below the light filtering canopy,
The presence of the alpha male is known.
Ever creature in the forest knows you are there,
It's your engagement and intelligence as much as your size that renders even one sighting of you as unforgettable.
And you are. Unforgettable.
One look into your mysterious eyes is all it takes to leave an impression forever.
An animal of passion.
There lies your greatest power.
Villagers who venture the jungles fear you,
A huge, virile, impulsive and threatening silverback male.
An attractive black hairy beast, able to tear a man into pieces with sheer strength,
And yet I wanted to befriend you.
I show you my back, that I am no threat,
And you adopted me into your social structure.
Playful beings, rolling, tumbling and living in the moment,
Suddenly the reality of the gorilla is clear.
Gorillas express every emotion as it flows,
Picking off the parasites for each other.
Showing affection that few people associate with such large creatures,
Caring for each other so deeply one might feel unworthy.
Help me be more present,
And I will help balance you too.
Some might mistake you for a dark forest monster,
Rough and engaged in primal instincts.
But now I understand that your chest is so large,
Due to the unrivaled size of your heart.
-- by Andrew Noske
About this Poem... This is one in a serious of poems I've written about various animals. The motivation, is that I love the idea of spirit animals, and I decided, one day, to ask many of my friend what animal they think best represents their personality. In some cases the poems are written with the person in mind... and sometimes it's purely about the animal. Read more about my process here. If you love this poem or want another written please e-mail me at . :-)
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