A Walk in the Jungle by Roger Townsend

I was walking through the jungle. The day had turned out hot.

My safari suit was stuck with sweat, but they were all the clothes I’d got.

I looked to the left, then I looked right, wondering what I might see.

An elephant, a monkey, or even perhaps a chimpanzee.

My guide, called Otis, said, ”Slow down,” as we came to a clearing.

My companions though just carried on. I think some were hard of hearing.

At last we stopped and had a rest; a drink of water went down well.

How far we’d come heaven knows. I really couldn’t tell.

Suddenly, Otis said, “Do not move an inch,

Don’t move your arms, don’t move your legs, do not even flinch.”

A lion appeared and stared at us. I was rooted to the spot.

“Stay calm, don’t panic,” Otis said, “He just wants a look.”

“We’ll be OK if we do things exactly to the book.”

A lioness then came through the trees, accompanied by her litter.

They looked quite cute, but I could see my friends were all a jitter.

The lion roared, he curled his lip, but then he turned away.

His family followed. What a relief. We live another day.

I won’t forget this trip through forest, bush and grasses

Oh yes, I had better take them off, my virtual reality glasses.