The Knysna Tauraco (Or Lory) Poem by Daleen Enslinstrydom

After the rain flying like Icarus to the sun
the tauraco competes with the splendour of the rainbow
and so seldom one is seen
as they live in the canopy of the Knysna forest.

High above the coastline the trees
rise up above the escarpment
and the splendour of the thundering sea
where the sun is reflected on the upper leaves
of the forest and bird-life flourishes
while the yellowwood trees provide
nesting places high above a natural paradise.

Between the cedar-wood trees the tauraco
finds its mate and it climbs around the stinkwood trees
looking for something to eat.

Its one of the most brilliant of the Lory species
in a splendour of colours of scarlet, green
and blue plumage
and it’s well adopted for a life in the forest

and at times one can hear its screaming cries
cutting through the air
where the wild orchids bloom
and the ferns grow tall
and streams of water rush to the sea
is this birds domain
and with its colours like a rainbow
it’s almost like a flower in flight.