The missionary had strayed
from his God-given path,
the straight and narrow
into the wilderness of Kruger Park.

It was his God he feared.
No man or beast would ever
frighten this simple servant of the Lord.
Thus he admired the agility

of the gazelle, and even wildebeests,
was very fond of leopards and hyenas,
they were God's creatures, after all
and lived in harmony.

Killing of prey was done after a plan
that made no mention of a pious man.
Now Nature called him to obtain a sample
of solid fertiliser for the barren ground.

And so, he squatted in the swaying grass.
The king did grant him one last wish,
due to respect for fearlessness itself.
In answer to his question he remarked

'It is a matter of just balance, you and me,
your needs can wait, but not
the needs of any jungle.'

Herbert Nehrlich

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/needs-of-the-jungle/