An Ode To South

Of our three clans

You’re the least we see around

But fret not my friends

We love you more than we let on

We take you for granted

Sure, that’s the truth

You’re lonely and scarce

You former behemoth

What happened?

You were once so prolific, horrific

And now we see only pieces

It’s like you’re tumbling off a precipice

But still we love you, more than we can say

You’re funny and kind

And — what do you say — okay?

Whoever we see

(Should we see any of you at all)

You’re there to please the crowd

Come one, come all

From ROUG**, popping into view

As if to say “I’m here!” when least expected

To HONR**, PALA**, ANUB**

Who’re only there to sleep and eat and maybe get

Aggressed on to — what are you doing?

What happened?

KAPU**, TOBA**, poised to take over the throne

Only for us to find you thrown,

Cast off to the side and down to the bottom

But you act as if that’s where you belong

Though you’re in chaos

Your territory shines above all others

In beauty and light and prey that abounds

And so though you are scarce

And we pray for your return

We have never stopped loving you

Perhaps more than we let on

**Full Names: Moulin Rouge (ROUG), Honor Harrington (HONR), Palazzo (PALA), Anubis (ANUB), Kapuas River (KAPU), Lake Toba (TOBA), Texas Slim (SLIM)

*Below are some of my favorite South hyenas just doing their best.

ROUG

PALA taking a nap

HONR

SLIM**