War and the forces

A MURDERED ZIMBABWEAN FARMER'S DOG

As darkness falls and day becomes night, the scents and sounds undergo changes.

Chemicals and instincts react, bringing about an awareness. With these changes come the first stirrings of foreboding; something sinister and evil is creeping through the night, menacing, threatening.

The Man, my protector, my rock, my provider, the giver of love; senses the danger. For all he gives, in return he asks for only my loyalty and devotion, which I give with free abandon.

Strangers lurk in the shadows, silently approaching, watching, waiting whispering words of bad intention, evil coursing through twisted hate-filled minds.

Instinct overrides my fear, my sole duty to protect and defend The Man, anger and rage at their intrusion raging through my body. The Man's concerns are evident, his fears visible, actions exposing his worry. He too has detected the dangers without.

Raised voices are heard, angry, loud and filled with threats. Words I do not understand, but express their intent.

They are beyond our wire cage, blocking our path, preventing escape. Our vehicle, roaring, attempts to breach the obstruction, but fails. Humans, surrounding us, screaming, hitting, beating The Man, dragging him from his confines, pain, hurt, being inflicted. The centre of my world, being attacked, injured.

I tried, oh, how I tried; snapping, barking, biting, snarling my defiance, trying to protect The Man. My body being hit, kicked, punched, stones, sticks and clubs, all used on me. Yet still I tried.

The Man, bloodied, beaten and in agony. Fear emanating from him, dragged away, tied to a tree. The thunderous explosion and blinding light assailed my ears and eyes, causing me to cower and seek hiding.

As time passed, the voices went, faded away, once again letting the African night sounds resume. The Man, my Man, lay sleeping; my attempts to rouse him failing, his body still, his warmth fading. Curling beside him, to protect him and share my warmth, snuggling close, seeking his attention; yet finding none.

Still my duty is to protect him, watch over him, keep him from danger.

Sadly, his inner light has gone, as mine too will go, through sadness and grief at my loss.

by Graham Longstaff

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