sanctuary

you saw it on the net

you read the story

a kangaroo mum killed

by a reckless speeding car

on the other side of Earth

but in her pouch were two

tiny living joeys

humans helped and rescued them

from her cooling body

and brought them to the sanctuary

where gentle workers fed them

milk from doll-sized bottles

so small

just little flickers of life

so vulnerable

as little flickers of light

in the darkest night

sanctuary

you’re a follower now

watching the little ones thrive

sure they will survive

soon they’ll be drinking

their milk from larger bottles

they are so alive

on tour

with joeys sitting in a row

each baby cuddled 

in a cotton pouch dotted

striped or floral

now there’s joy

they’re discovering the world

with their dark awesome eyes

their limbs still sticklike

but their big eyes starlike

longlashed portals

to universal depths

sanctuary

but you are just a schoolkid

on the other side of Earth

with a room in your heart

for roo babies

you so wish you could be working there

but you’ll be sending all the love and care

from your heart

through your mind’s eye instead

Vera Kelgart  (with smoky elestial crystal) 2024