Flower the Meerkat Queen


In the winter of our year,
as fertile rain wakes the
Kalahari Desert,
Flower the Meerkat Queen returns to victorious union;
finally completing a bold, dry season maneuver
of splitting the large tribe apart and thus saving them.
So she extends her long four years reign as sole
Warrior Queen of the Whisker Meerkats,
that upright, diminutive clan of desert beings.

Her daughter, Rocket Dog, holding half the clan,
quickly submits
and all rejoice the full family and natural Leader.
She proceeds calmly, though some pregnant worry;
admirable the statecraft of this sensible, quick
Mistress of rule.

In the feast of sweet scorpions and grubs easily dug,
the giant, hooded Cape Cobra snake was found,
surrounded and chased away.
But stealthily it circles back to the distant newborns’ den
as Flower received a lost pup from a rival clan
- thus grandeur in a cup.

Then an alarm comes - where the tribe’s young future hangs!
Without hesitation, her slender tail raised high, in a bound
Flower leads the charge to save the pups.
Never holding back, she braved those deadly fangs
face on - taking the sudden, poisoned blow.
The giant was conquered – and pups survived.

So, in selfless bravery, ends the good reign
of Flower, justly mourned;
renowned beyond her size; for short strife, wise decisions
– the desert nobly adorned.