I'VE BEEN TO THE ZAMBEZI !

I've walked in the elephants footprints,
played football with his dung.
I've seen the spotted hyena
and listened to the songs he has sung.

I've watched the gallant Fish Eagle
and heard his eerie cry.
I've seen the enormous crocodile,
and looked him in the eye.

I've watched the baboons and monkeys
playing in the trees.
I often wish I could be like them
doing as I please.

I've seen plenty of impala
with their graceful bound and leaps.
All this in our mind
will be memories for keeps.

I've been a wanderer of the wilderness,
a swimmer of the river.
I have a friend - silence
and memories forever.

By Jamie Alexander, July 1992, Eiffel Flats Primary School

POEM OF THANKS

Jeff, Emma and the hunters...
We thank you all
For the care you gave us
You were very kind and sympathetic to us.

Each and everyone was
Very happy because
Of the care you gave us and
Because of you all we learnt
A lot about wildlife and forestry.

We will pray to
God every time to give us more people like you who are always smiling and cheerful,
May God bless you all.

Every Zimbabwean is proud of Rifa
We will never forget this place,
A wonderful place.

By Angela Ruzvidzo, December 2000, Marirangwe Secondary School

A timeless spectacle,
Gleaming, alive, enchanting,
Passing on yet never ceasing,
The Zambezi slips by

The brilliance grows stronger,
More vibrant and more intense,
It captivates your mind,
It sends your senses soaring,
Out into a crimson paradise,
A strange and louring place.

A sight so still, so silently hypnotic,
That displays its dazzling splendour,
Whether a thousand watch or none,
And evening after evening,
Like some ancient ritual,

It glows and burns and paints the sky,
A tremendous finale to a perfect day.
Then the burning mass begins to sink,
A golden tear rolling down a blushing cheek,
The after-glow - the encore,
Left to silently dissolve,
A huge dark curtain covers the Zambezi,
Until the break of dawn.

By Roseanne Hawksworth, Hillcrest College 1998.