Born Free Foundation - Keep Wildlife in the Wild

Poetry is an art form in words.  The putting together of words in new and unexpected ways, sometimes in rhyme.  Poetry can be a wonderful way to express feelings for wild animals and connections with the natural world.  This new section of Born Free’s site is devoted to wildlife poetry.

Born Free is delighted to introduce our charity’s official Poet in Residence, Richard Bonfield.  Born and living in Leicester, Richard is a dazzling, accomplished poet with a deep love for the wild.  A consummate writer, a virtuoso with words, his evocative, mesmerising poems feed the imagination, thrill the senses and frequently amuse.  

“When I first read Richard Bonfield’s extraordinary poem ‘The Beautiful Alphabet’, never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that one day he would be Born Free’s Poet in Residence.
The beauty and vulnerability of nature, the need to live in harmony with other creatures, their plight when we don’t – all this is expressed in the most poignant, perceptive and original language.
How fortunate we are to have such a person to help the animals and inspire us.”
Virginia McKenna
Born Free Founder & Trustee

Richard Bonfield will shortly be publishing a collection of his favourite poems,  Entitled ‘Animated Nature’, and at the launch of this publication, funds will be raised for Born Free.

“When Virginia McKenna asked me if I would like to be Poet in Residence my answer was a ‘no brainer’ as there was no doubt this was the ultimate accolade.  It is to be asked to be Poet Laureate for the whole of suffering nature.  
I feel that poetry could be the new Born Free… concentrating the hearts and minds of a new generation with a call to animal alms.  Poetry really could change the planet…!  
I see my new role as being that of a Pied Piper calling on a new generation of poets to dance the cosmic dance and lead all of us out of the sorry mess we now find ourselves in.  The future is in our lyrical hands.
In its 25th year Born Free must be congratulated on flying the flag for the animal community whilst also being concerned for the dignity of the wider human community.  It is a delicate balancing act and Born Free does it supremely well…!”  Richard Bonfield
Born Free Poet in Residence, July 2009

Richard Bonfield’s poetry

Listen to Born Free’s Founder Virginia McKenna reading Richard’s extraordinary poem ‘The Beautiful Alphabet’.

Richard introduces and reads 3 of his poems (mp3 file 4.6M)

Subscribe to the iTunes Podcast here

Reviews for Richard Bonfield’s poems and collections

‘Menagerie: Another Animal Alphabet’ (Coypu Publications 2004)

‘This delightful collection of animal poems possess a deftness of touch as well as a wry sense of humour, combining traditional style with a twenty-first century imagination.’
County Lit Literature Newsletter


‘Zooplankton’ (2002)

“I’m writing to congratulate you on being a prize-winner in BBC Wildlife Poetry of the Year Awards.  You did extremely well.  I loved your poem.”
Rosamund Kidman Cox, Born Free Trustee & former Editor, BBC Wildlife Magazine

‘Bestiary: An Animal Alphabet’ (Coypu Publications 1993)

“A strong first collection of poems, notable for its elegance of form, lyric talent and witty rhymes, as well as exquisite Victorian illustrations.  Brilliant value.”  
Elspeth Barker, Books of the Year, Independent on Sunday

“Brilliant.”
Heathcote Williams, author of Sacred Elephant and Whale Nation

“Beautifully and lovingly expressed.  Injected with moments of fun, each animal emerges with a personality of its own.”
Judith Pearson, Poetry Please, BBC  Radio 4

POETRY BY VIRGINIA MCKENNA

Read a selection of Virginia’s own poetry here

SEND US YOUR POEMS

Are you inspired by the wonders of the natural world?  Astounded by the beauty of a particular wild animal or place?  Concerned about the vulnerability of so many species?  Or enraged by the exploitation of vulnerable individuals? 

Send us your poetry – in rhyme, blank or free verse.  We will publish our favourites here.  Email celia@bornfree.org.uk

Kinship
I am the voice of the voiceless;
Through me the dumb shall speak,
Till the deaf world’s ear be made to hear
The wrongs of the wordless weak.

From street, from cage and from kennel,
From stable and zoo, the wail
Of my tortured kin proclaims the sin
Of the mighty against the frail.

Oh, shame on the mothers of mortals,
Who have not stopped to teach
Of the sorrow that lies in dear, dumb eyes,
The sorrow that has no speech.

The same force formed the sparrow
That fashioned man the king;
The God of the whole gave a spark of soul
To furred and to feathered thing.

And I am my brother’s keeper,
And I will fight his fight,
And speak the word for beast and bird,
Till the world shall set things right.

Ella Wheeler Wilcox 1850 - 1919
 

Read spporters’ poetry here