Sparrow-hawk falls from the sky
precision hunter, yellow eyes staring defiance,
pummels sparrow to extinction.
Domestic cat, disturbed by her internal tiger
leaps from the path with outstretched paws
wondering what is tiger for?
Sparrow-hawk sees only predator with claws
flies off, concedes defeat
returns to a hungry nest.
Overfed cat plays with sparrow, walks away,
tiger stripes blurring in her mind
to shimmering flames of domestic fire.
Continuing to repost old poems, this one was published on the blog back in 2008.
I would like to respond in similar vein:-
ReplyDeleteThe Kestrel.
Hovering above me in the air
Floats a bird with beady eye,
Still as a rock he appears to be
Watch him simply hovering there.
Seemingly settled in for the day,
Watching, waiting for his victim.
There's a movement way down below,
Perhaps a rabbit, shrew or mouse.
For what's down there the future's bleak,
His wings he folds along his back
And using all his inborn craft,
He stoops down and grabs his prey.
He'd set the trap and now its sprung,
The hunted nil, the hunter won.
Thanks Bondbloke - its great to share poetry like that! I'll have to hide your poem from my rabbit though.....
ReplyDeleteIt was written whils lying on my back watching a Kestrel, I agree it might be a bit scary for your rabbit...
ReplyDeleteUnusual, I thought - and unusually good. I particularly enjoyed the internal tiger.
ReplyDeleteVery nice, I love birds and cats and poetry about them is always good!
ReplyDeleteI liked the internal tiger part too....
ReplyDeleteParticularly like the last two lines cgp
ReplyDeleteoh, i love this!
ReplyDelete(am left with a lot of catching up to do, though)
'Domestic cat, disturbed by her internal tiger...' - brilliant wording Juliet.
ReplyDeleteYou've really nailed the essence of a domestic cat in this piece. Love it.
The internal tiger image has really stayed with me too!
ReplyDeletethe title was great as was the imagery. Also enjoyed the posts on city farms.
ReplyDeleteGreat to get out in the wild, but the warmth of the fire back home brings me down to earth.
ReplyDeleteSorry, the above anonymous comment was mine.
ReplyDeleteWow, this reminds me of a song I listened to on the way to camp yesterday afternoon. It's called "From the Jungle to the Zoo" by Dr. Hook and is about how close wildness and tameness are to each other.
ReplyDeleteGreat poem!
Yeah, I think my cat could relate to the overfed bit!
ReplyDeleteHello, I am glad the cat is overfed and the hawk escaped.
ReplyDeleteHappy Halloween, enjoy your day!
Hi Eileen- but the poor sparrow is left dead and the sparrowhawk is hungry....
ReplyDeleteCGP, Reposting favourites is a VERY good idea. We must not let them hide in a 11000111 hole. Let's let some of them see some light again. THANK YOU!
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed reading your post/poem here, thank you.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan