Just Killing Time

Cherry

By Silver Spun Sand

Tue, 23 Aug 2011
  • 1491 reads
10 comments
 

O’er corduroy fields
this huntress flies –
a sparrow-hawk
plots her surprise;
no dove, no rook
escapes her sight.

Suspended then
by unseen thread,
she bides her time
with sole intent.
No bathos is her
swift descent

as thunderbolt
from cyan skies,
a partridge,
more than twice her size,
falls victim
of a cruel demise.

With talons poised –
impales her prey;
no prayers of mine
will change its fate,
nor time diminish
Nature’s ways.

Certificate U
Silver Spun Sand Poems
Spiritual

Comments

Submitted by Cavalcader on
new Silver-Spun-Sand Hi! Tina, another cracker! of nature's poem. Beautifully written. The last stanza; With talons poised- impales her prey; no prayers of mine will chnage its fate, nor time diminish Nature's way. Absolutely true! julie xx

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Isn't it just, Julie?;-) The way of the world, and all that. Actually, I wrote this poem after watching this exact experience unfold in front of my eyes. A sparrow-hawk crashed into my patio window, with the partridge in its claws. It landed on the ground - holding the poor, unfortunate bird beneath it. I dashed out to try and scare the hawk away, but it flew to the end of my garden with its victim, and when I got there nothing remained but a pile of feathers. Very sad, but nature, as I say. Have a good week;-) Tina

 

Submitted by Highhat on
I like your rhyme in this one Tina- for a change- a precise snapshot brilliantly executed (that's no pun!) Hope the hawk had his fill- I like birds of prey- they seem so proud. Well they are majestic aren't they? ;)Pia Oh yes got the Byrds in my head- you are clever...

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
If I say, 'Turn, turn, turn', Pia you will know why;-) Seriously though, a great song. Pleased you picked up on it...but I thought you would. Pleased, also that you enjoyed...and no, the hawks never seem to have their fill and regularly kill the birds in my garden. Usually the small ones that gather round the feeders, but last year, ducklings that had hatched by my pond. Heart-breaking in itself, but to hear the duck mourning its young was quite soul-destroying. But as we say, 'that's the nature of the beast'. Thanks for your lovely comment and have a peaceful evening. Tina;-)

 

Submitted by maggyvaneijk on
A sharp and streamlined poem, just like the hawk's flight towards its prey.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Thanks, maggy...you have quite a way with words yourself;-) Tina

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on
this is a piece I can more than relate too Tina I love those lines:- O'er corduroy fields this huntress flies - a sparrow-hawk plots her suprise; no dove, no rook escapes her sight. I love the way you describe the hawk as the huntress, such a powerful female image, just beautiful. Great read, thankyou. Jenny.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Thank you, Jenny;-) In fact the female sparrow-hawk is usually much more dominant than the male...able to catch larger prey. Just as it should be;-) Tina

 

Submitted by L G Meadows on
A very tight, concisely worded poem, enjoyed it.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Many thanks, LG;-) Tina