I saw the mangled bundle, as I came upon the hill,
     A kangaroo, sleek and soft, and very, very still;
	A smaller one was standing there, and looked me in the eye,
     Then pity overtook me, and I couldn't drive on by.

	As I reached the mother, I could see it was too late,
     So I tried to grab the youngster, who took off at a rate,
       Now what could I do, to save this little mite,
         Who would not survive alone, and was running now in fright.

     Leave the scene I thought, and drive just up the road, 
        I sat in silence for half an hour, and sure enough she showed;
     She stood beside her mother, then I saw her slouch,
        She was nuzzling at her Mum, looking for her pouch.

     If I return she'll run again, so how can I save the 'roo,
       I sat in bewilderment, as I pondered what to do.
     Suddenly it dawned upon me, as I devised a plan,
        If the joey wanted mother's pouch, I'll make it so she can!

    I drove back to the mother, and the joey ran on cue,
      I maneuvered the mother's body, so the pouch was in full view,
    I made it so the joey could put her head right in,
      Then drove back up the road, and began to settle in;

      It took another half an hour for the joey to reappear,
   She hopped up to her mum, and I saw her head disappear.
      She had her head right in the pouch, as I had hoped she would,
   Now I had to get back to her, as quietly as I could,

   I tip-toed silently up the road, and reached the sorry sight,
     The baby's head was in the pouch, so I grabbed the little mite.
   As darkness was the likely key, to calm the frightened 'roo,
       I quickly pulled my T-shirt off, for her to jump into
 
   It then hit me, as I ran back to my car,
      What would I do with this little girl, now I had come this far?
         My thoughts had been preoccupied in trying to catch the joey,
   Now that I had accomplished this, my mind was in a flurry,

       I settled the little bundle, all comfy on the seat,
   I'll have to stop at the very next town, as she will need to eat,
       My thoughts were now consumed, many questions in my mind,
     Who will I contact, where shall I look, reality was left behind.

        The dilemma consumed my every thought, my destination forgotten,
     If I hadn't stopped to save her, I would have felt so rotten.
         After an hour of driving blindly, realizing what I had done,
     A town was soon upon me, my troubles had just begun,

    I went from shop to shop to ask just what to do,
       They looked at me in disbelief, because I'd saved a 'roo!
    They stared at me as if to say, 'we don't want to know',
       So many roos are killed each year, who cares about one doe?

     I determined to find one person, who could help me in my plight;
   I didn't care how long it took, I would search till night!
        I rang the operator and asked for information,
     Regarding wildlife care, was there an organisation?

   So thrilled was I when I was given, the number of a few,
        People who took in joeys, and would know just what to do.
   I rang them with relief, and was thrilled to finally hear,
       Yes we will take the joey, I began to shed a tear.

   All my pent up frustration came pouring with relief,
       As a friendly voice said she'd meet me, a little down the street.
   She was there within minutes, a caring, loving soul,
       Who took in these young orphans, and survival was her goal.

   She gently unwrapped the joey, to check it was okay,
          Then snuggled her into a home made pouch, as I explained my day.
    She commended me on my insight, in catching the little mite,
           And said that if I hadn't have cared, the joey would die that night.

   It made me feel so happy, that I had saved the 'roo,
       But was saddened that I had done, what others wouldn't do.
    She said she had many others, I was elated, I confess,
       And if I liked to ring her, to check on her progress.

    After swapping our names and numbers, she waved and drove away,
        I sat back in my vehicle, and reflected on my day,
    How many other little joeys are left to die tonight,
       Just because few little care of the kangaroo's sad plight.

      It's only when faced with these events, we really have to think,
  That everything out in the bush is not all rosy and pink,
      Survival has been compromised, because of man's integration,
    It's time we all did our bit for the symbol of our nation.
                                              Lynda Staker 
  

  

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