Gorillas In The Mist Poem by Colin Ian Jeffery

Gentle giants of the great apes, close to humans
Same spirit, nature, sympathy for loving family
Mighty vegetarians walking Congo jungle
Hunted for food and skins, imprisoned in zoos
Endangered species, threatened with extinction.
Family leader, gigantic silver-backed male
Father, protector, too heavy to sleep in trees
Sleeps on jungle floor while family sleeps above.
Moving furtively, silently from place to place
Babies happily clinging to mothers' backs
Silver-back guarding and protecting family
Leading group of nine to feast in safety.
Men with spears, bows and arrows have come
Gorilla meat soon to be on sale in village markets.