There:
Among the lion and
Elephant spoor,
Scratched by hornbill talons,
And dented by buffalo hoof;
Half-gouged by baboon
Searching for
Beetles in the dung,
Was the rhino footprint:
Like an old faded photo
Of a distant cousin
Thrown up among
The family trash –

A fossil imprint
On ancient rock,
No more to die –
A silent eternal rebuke.

Oh you doomed one.