Intelligence is in the eyes,
a look that might accuse.
Perhaps the knowledge dawning
just how much she has to lose?

Superb arboreal acrobat
despite her mighty weight,
young one clinging, safe for now
but what will be his fate?

Sumatran tigers were the fear
before we came along
with tractors, chainsaws, fire and smoke
to mute the forest’s song,

to fell the trees beneath their arms,
to harry and to kill,
reducing them to vermin,
as if they wished us ill.

We are all one forest family
and if we are to survive
we need to give all beings
legal rights to stay alive.