Rob Ayling, yer Gonzo Grande Fromage, writes:
"Thom the World poet is an old mate of mine from way back in my history. Even pre-dating Voiceprint, when I was running "Otter Songs" and Thom's poetry tapes and guest appearances with Daevid Allen, Gilli Smyth and Mother Gong are well known and highly regarded. It just felt right to include a daily poem from Thom on our Gonzo blog and when I approached him to do so, he replied within seconds!!! Thom is a great talent and just wants to spread poetry, light and positive energy across the globe. If we at Gonzo can help him do that - why not?"
"KANGAROOS ARE NOT SHOES"
They are indigenous vegetarians,indigenous Continent
with four main species which accord with each landscape.
Big Red roos for deserts,gray wallabies for bush and trees,
potaroos and (black)wallaroos for Kangaroo Island.There are also "rat kangaroos".
Some call them the "deer of Australia"-and call for culling to stop over-population.
Kangaroo shooting has been happening since European occupation(1788-2021)
and they were a staple for Aboriginal hunters.But the scale of killing is now industrial.
I have sat with wallabies at Lone Pine Animal Sanctuary,in a paddock of peaceful intentions.
Their eyes are worlds of wonder.Their back legs strong as forests.I would never knowingly
eat kangaroo meat(although the content of Australian pies was often horse,donkey and (we suspect)kangaroo,too..
Our shared land is subject to extreme climate changes-floods where roos drown,drought where they starve.
They are also road killed en masse by huge road trains that barrel along highways of death .
So there is a natural rate of attrition,an environmental one,and a huge casualty list caused by us. Our cars,our trucks.
What can be stopped is the commercialization of kangaroo culls-profiting for export our native fauna.
Customs is harsh on the export of prohibited flora and fauna. Kangaroo meat (&hides)an exception
This industry of murder can be stopped once you actually meet a kangaroo.
Once you do-you will not ever wish to cause them harm. They are the true Australian.
