An Island in the Sky

By luigi_pagano

Tue, 16 Jul 2024
  • 376 reads
6 comments
 
On a remote mountain
of southern Mozambique
there's a large rainforest
shrouded in mystique.
 
Surrounded by lowlands
the “sky island” of Mabu
has a green vegetation
that's hidden from view.
 
On geographical maps
its location wasn't listed;
only the locals knew
that this place existed.
 
Satellite images showed
a dark patch of green,
so scientists decided
to explore the scene.
 
They discovered insects
no one had seen before
and kept on searching
to find some more.
 
There are dung beetles
among the new species
impossible to ignore
by the smell of the feces.
 
And smaller mammals
classified as new
are the horseshoe bat
and the dwarf musk shrew.
 
Some butterflies, snakes
and chameleons are unique
to the island in the sky
of southern Mozambique
 
The exploration was done
with great distinction,
proving action is needed
to prevent extinction.
 
 
 
© Luigi Pagano 2024
 
Certificate U
Poem
Mutevoli pensieri
Other Non-fiction
Nature

Comments

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Fascinating isn't it? The prssures of war and locals needs are always there apart from commercial damage, but its isolation has helped especially on the smaller animals and insects. At first when i saw the headline I imagined a sort of raft of vegetation on the treetops! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Perhaps we ought to learn from nature and let people grow in isolation to avoid the extinction of the human race.

Best wishes, Luigi

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Your poem sparks food for thought. I'm in total agreement with your comment to Rhiannon Luigi. I really wish these places could be left alone to thrive in their own way. There's so many people with money and power that think it's their right to do whatever they want causing destruction. 

I don't often speak my mind, but in this case I just wanted to say your poem speaks so much about our old way of life disappearing because there's no stability, especially when I look at the mental health of a lot of young people that cannot cope in todays tough environment.

Well done on a communicative poem Luigi. If I could I would cherry pick this poem.

Jenny. xx

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

I am very grateful to you, Jenny,  for emphasising my point of view. I agree that we live in a difficult environment that lacks the stability it needs. Unfortunately, the global situation is fraught with danger. Thanks for your lovely comment.

Luigi xx

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

I've heard of this Luigi it's a recent thing, hard to believe yet there it is. Incredible. Just on our doorstep. And that a giant cave has been discovered on the moon and existence of water confirmed.

Next thing it's life on Mars and cloning dinosaurs. There will soon be colonies on the moon, one of these days and sooner than we might think, this is reality. Mars was a smoke-screen for now I thought so from the beginning.

Keep well feet on the ground! Tom

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

It all seems unreal, Tom, but I'll follow your suggestion to keep my feet well to the ground.

Cheers, Luigi