Ernest Hemingway from pinterest.com
Lion Hunter
“The old man was dreaming about the lions.”
--THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA
Ernest Hemingway.
In the 1950’s, Frederick Brightburn hunted lions.
He traveled to Africa with Hemingway’s and
Hollywood’s depiction of the “Great White Hunter”
carved into his cortex. He booked his first safari,
and showed up with marksman skills using his new
.375 H&H Magnum rifle, bolt action, peep sights,
holding six CZ 550 cartridges.
He only killed the male lions, having their heads
stuffed for displaying in his trophy room.
On his fourth safari, in 1962, he had a guide who
chose to educate him about lions. He learned that
lions are the only big cats that live in family groups
called prides; three males and a half dozen females
and their cubs. It turns out that the females do all
the hunting. The males are only good for procreation
and pride security.
He became so enamored of lions that he retired his
rifles, and began using Nikon cameras to hunt with.
His photographs became so popular that National
Geographic put him on their staff. For 40 years he
traveled across Africa shooting his wonderful images.
His pictures of the maneless males in Kenya won
several awards. In his 80’s, his health declined, and
he was restricted to a wheelchair. He became an
activist, fighting against the killing of lions.
The lions came to play
only in his dreams now; they
were never afraid.
Glenn Buttkus
Posted over at dVerse Poets Pub
13 comments:
Glenn, your poem is heartening. It's good to learn about evil that somehow saw the light. May I dare to hope that we as a species see it? The idea of humans becoming just another animal that mingles freely, where other animals do not run in terror, is a pleasant one, if only in a dream.
Love the turning of his heart in this. Reminds me of a nature area line I once read, and loved:
Shoot only pictures. Take only memories.
It's better to shoot with a camera.
It is sad, these manly men who only feel their masculinity when they kill an animal.
I too wrote another poem with lions. I have been having dreams with lions. Symbolic in many ways.
Interesting, Glen. Luv that he turned from rifle to camera
Much✏love
I wish all the trigger-happy trophy hunters would do the same.
Another great quote, Glenn, and interesting facts about Brightburn. I read to the second paragraph and got so angry with the man’s attitude to lions and hunting in general, I was going to stop reading. But, knowing your writing, I continued to read and was happy at his change of heart. I wish more trigger-happy hunters would learn to appreciate the animals they are so keen to shoot. Shooting pictures is better than shooting wildlife. I love the haiku.
Great quotation to use. And now I've learned about this man, Brightburn. Amazing how an encounter with one man can completely change a person's view....and now his photos have been shared with so many...rather than wildlife trophies in his den.
And excellent haiku that is the icing on the cake here! :)
I love his change in perspective Glenn. I was captivated by your words..
What a great story of a man who changed his ways... can you ever imagine the brother Trump walking the same way?... Love the quote to use as inspiration.
I love the bit of history you've given us. Would that all the "great white hunters" would take to using cameras! The photos of them with their "bounty" sicken me!
There is hope for humanity...even if it's one person at a time. Great write, Glenn. Thanks for joining in.
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