Kipling’s Brilliance

He could do it
As if spoken by a Soldier
Or a child  meeting jungle creatures
Rare.
He could do it in the
Fogs of dear old London
Or the heat of India’s
Daily, drowsy air.


There were heroes
Gunga Din
And Tommy, Tommy
Facing battle
With just little thanks
Returned.
But reality, spunk and
Dialogue provoking.
Were just part of
All the merit
Rudyard earned.
Empires learned.



Have you watched the
Fish a-flying
Have you heard the tiger’s roar?
Have you felt the soak
Of monsoon’s worst
As Rudyard did before?



What a man
Observing small exotic detail
Languages, aromas
And huge trees.
Bright as the morn
Green as the vines
Soft as the breeze.



See the link https://www.poetry.com/poem/33273/mandalay