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Death looms large
Their hoofs dig dust cloud
The springbok mom
Can’t leave her newborn
Alone to be crunched and gulped
Down that “fearful symmetry”*
She has other thoughts
And adopts her stance
To play with Death
The drama unfolds
On that grassy stage
She becomes a dancing nymph
To ignite the wrath of Death
Towards her
The blazing sky
Adds fire to the hungry eye
Thus the exposition
The rising action follows
With a long, long chase
To that climactic point
Of lightning flash of acrobatics
Then
The sinews of the “deadly terrors”*
Relent
The weary and exhausted cheetah
Slows down
He is back to the clan
Head hung and tongue out
Falling action indeed!
Catastrophe is avoided
Now for the revelation
Joy cavorts
In springbok hoofs
Of mother and child
Happy Mother’s Day!
From a poet of a land, far away.
*words within inverted commas are taken from Blake’s Tyger
Posted for Poetry Pantry @ Poets United
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Saturday, 9 May 2015
She Pawns Her Life
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a mother would go to any length to keep her kids fine:)
ReplyDeleteOh yes - the mother protecting here offspring, love how you weaved Blake's word into this.
ReplyDeleteThe balance of nature allows wins and losses except that man without need slaughters both to decorate his living room endangering the survival of both.
ReplyDeletewhat a perfect and different mothers day poem
ReplyDeletewonderful - and a very happy mothers day to you
a wonderful example of a mother being willing to do whatever it takes to protect her child, and species doesn't enter into it.
ReplyDelete♥
Well this surely shines bright! And phew...so glad she got to nestle with her mother for a little longer...a real journey
ReplyDeleteThis poem shines through with your love which is hidden in it..!
ReplyDeleteHappy Mother's Day :D
xoxo
How lovely to write a drama with a happy ending--the definition of comedy. But we never laugh, only sigh with relief and then applaud the power of mothers to protect their children despite all! Thank you for this!
ReplyDeleteI am glad that death was averted...just once. But the cheetah will seek prey elsewhere, and another will not be so lucky. The balance in nature is not always kind!
ReplyDeleteWhat a brave mother to protect her young ~ I am glad that death become weary & tired ~ Love this Sumana and wishing you happy weekend ~
ReplyDeleteI think it is a mother's instinct to protect her children from any harm or danger. This kind of love cannot be ever defined.
ReplyDeleteVery lovely sentiments here Sumana.
i so much enjoy what your experience in a world unbeknownst to me brings. this was joyous and wonderful writing. gracias, feliz dia de madre
ReplyDeleteFine words of a mothers instinct to protect her young.
ReplyDeleteAnna :o]
Captivating! It kept my interest down to the last word.
ReplyDeleteZQ
What a lovely poem for mother's day. I am so glad the cheetah was defeated. Thinking of you today, Sumana.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful poem....and Happy Mother's Day to you!
ReplyDeleteA true celebration of motherhood! Lovely!
ReplyDeleteA lovely homage to a mother's love, beautifully interwoven with Blake's timeless words.
ReplyDeleteHeroic mother!!The animal kingdom is flush with extraordinary parents...such a beautiful piece, Sumana!
ReplyDeleteOh wow! This was so beautifully vibrant!!
ReplyDeleteexcellent pace - well crafted!
ReplyDeleteReading this poem on Monday, after the PU feature....feel your sadness in words' images...blessings! x
ReplyDeleteI was holding my breath throughout the poem to see what would happen and was so glad the springbok escaped with her baby. But then I thought how the cheetah and her family would go hungry. Nature has so much sadness along with the joy.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful story poem.
ReplyDelete"adopts her stance to play with Death"--this really is what it looks like, these springbok are so amazing when they move! You've captured the dance well.
ReplyDelete