The dark shape circles high above;
Even from here, he looks a frightful bird,
Patrolling boundaries, claiming ground.
Nothing stirs in the grass below;
Moles and rabbits hunker as the meadow stills.
Even the slippery snake slides along the bank
And dips into shadow.
How do they know that danger waits above,
That brooding patience wins?
And is it always so, that the rest of us,
Even those who give to others fright,
Eventually succumb, eventually become
Just part of last night's leavings?
And is there always, always overhead,
Some great and fearsome presence stalking Eden?
It sure feels that way some days. Great poem about predators - and now I think I'll just go make sure the doors are locked :)
ReplyDeleteSome days I feel like last night's leavings. Hunker is one of my favorite words, btw.
ReplyDeleteAh Karen......some things never fail me....your written word is one of those things
ReplyDeleteLinda
This meditation on birds of prey should be read in the halls of the US Congress. They stalk us in much the same way! Lovely poem, imagery striking, and beautiful pic. You do good work, Karen! Amy Barlow Liberatore
ReplyDeletehttp://sharplittlepencil.wordpress.com/2011/05/10/tioga-moon-song-link-and-lyrics/
An amazing poem. It paints such a clear picture of the cycle of life!
ReplyDeleteThose two 'And' clauses in the final six lines are just stunning! Blakean.
ReplyDeleteGreat writing, the frightful and slippery give a complexity/mock-heroic to the first section's tone. Loved it.
What Linda said, the way Linda said... including the "Ah" :)
ReplyDelete