Across America's endless grass,
Where prairie winds forever pass,
The mighty bison, buffalo true,
Once thundered in their millions through.
With massive heads and shaggy mane,
They ruled the Great Plains' vast domain.
Six feet tall and ton in weight,
These giants sealed the grassland's fate.
Their hooves would pound the earth like drums,
As countless herds in migration comes.
From Canada to Mexico's line,
A living carpet, brown and fine.
The Native peoples knew them well,
Their sacred bond no words can tell.
For food and shelter, tools and dress,
The buffalo brought life's success.
Each part was used with reverence deep,
A covenant they'd always keep.
But hunters came with rifles bright,
And turned the day into the night.
From sixty million down to few,
Near extinction's edge they flew.
Just hundreds left where millions grazed,
A tragedy that left hearts dazed.
Now in reserves and parks they roam,
Protected in their prairie home.
From near extinction's darkest hour,
They've shown resilience and power.
These symbols of the American West
Remind us nature knows what's best.