SARUS CRANES….TILL DEATH DO US PART by Dr N.Vijaya Lakshmi
The sarus crane (Antigone antigone) is a large non-migratory crane found in parts of the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and Australia. The tallest of the flying birds, standing at a height up to 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in), they are a conspicuous species of open wetlands in south Asia, seasonally flooded Dipterocarp forests in Southeast Asia, and Eucalyptus-dominated woodlands and grasslands in Australia.The sarus crane is easily distinguished from other cranes in the region by the overall grey colour and the contrasting red head and upper neck. They forage on marshes and shallow wetlands for roots, tubers, insects, crustaceans, and small vertebrate prey. Like other cranes, they form long-lasting pair bonds and maintain territories within which they perform territorial and courtship displays that include loud trumpeting, leaps, and dance-like movements. In India, they are considered symbols of marital fidelity, believed to mate for life and pine the loss of their mates even to the point of starving to death.
My wife Dr N.Vijaya Lakshmi composed a poem inspired by the love among these birds.
SARUS CRANES….TILL DEATH DO US PART by Dr N.Vijaya Lakshmi
The sky is turning dark and cloudy
from a crystal clear blue
The wind is whistling through the green trees
The nature is mushy and with a green hue
clouds are bursting with laughter
pouring out their joy tup tup tup
oh dear where are you.
waiting to dance along in the rain
to get melted away in your trumpet
to caress your beautiful red ruby necklace
come dance with me
come dance with me.
this is my vow
will never leave you alone
you will be mine
I will be yours
Till death do us part
oh dear come let us dance…..
(For the love of the sarus cranes who cannot live without each other.If one dies the other starves to death.Such is the intensity of their love and bonding)They have a beautiful red band on their neck.
