Warning: not for the squeamish ........................................
......................................._+
The lion pries open his bearded and mustachioed jaw and yawns away some of the tension that sharpens senses and rivets attention. Roar when it comes flattens a path in the sward he prowls, searching out the weak and unaware. Shoulders hunch, eyes slit to look lazy. Undulating muscle plays at pretending he is a kitten creeping up on a ball of yarn. Paws more velvet than the throat of a violet sipping light rain are padding claws sharp as the best hunting knife made. Instant action, no button, no lever. Hair, flesh, bone, and gristle will not so much tear as offer to lay themselves open. Blood will paint the grass and ground gorgeous. Gold, green, and red will excite by splashing against patterns brown, black, and grey. Stir into earth and scattered fur. Flashes of white bone will only enhance. Lion does not seem to notice, but who knows. Kings often come to love art. Learn perhaps from viewing carnage in battles gotten off on from afar. At least the lion risks his own hide. Case for beauty in that.
Pity is the hyena. Not blessed with threads of an elegant weave or color or style or the figure to pull them off, bad press falls, too. The risks he and his mate take to chase down and pin a meal to feed themselves and their families, as well as the strength and prowess honed over generations, then rehearsed despite deep wounds, broken limbs and lost comrades in the field are met with "Coward!" "Bloodsucker!" "Ghoul!" {Note that the shouts are muffled by shields.)
How many kings do not ascend to their thrones by dint of unequal privilege? Birth, war, assassination, bodies to use and discard? Ask the lion – beautiful, isn't he? – as he basks in the sun next to a mate yet to be recognized. Ask in a whisper. From a bunker. Gun loaded, knife in teeth. Far better, map an ingenious escape {see hyena}.
Stimulating imagery in this poetic-philosophic composition on this world we have created ~ "Comes in Last and Laughs" ~ and lead the reader to think on humankind's destiny.
Reading "Comes in Last and Laughs" was a learning experience.
The real beauty lies in these yellow bordered magazines. National Geographic is a provider of survival of the fittest. Read this magazine and you will know how to survive in the wildest of environments! Raw footage of nature at its natural habitat and the hyena is photographer friendly, as captured with a cheesy grin! Nice nature write, Pea!
I kept thinking all the way through this, beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. Most assuredly the hyena would only be loved in the heart of his Mother, where the fierce and ferocious lion, is given free pathway to all that looks on.
Whether it be a personal war or a social war, or just simply a war of survival..they happen, and as sad as it seems, it's become a normal way of life. What is even sadder is that we continue to go on, no matter how many stains of art lay in our path.
Many many meanings is laced throughout this gorgeous write. Great work Phyllis!
You don't shirk from the ugly reality of life for predator and prey; interesting how you compare both to human actions. BRAVA! A well written, vividly imaged, stark reminder...excellent!
Interesting and amusing comparison of the hyena and lion as comparrisons for real life or human life frailities. You are quite right the hyena does what he does to survive in a cruel world and continue his lineage, but is not honoured because of his looks and sounds.
Felix
Explore the mystery of how nature makes unexpected gifts of creative wonders to an unsuspecting caregiver one late night and early morning in southeastern Georgia, USA.
A book of nature inspired poems and essays, written from the heart and soul of a life-long nature, animal, and wilderness lover, and dedicated to today’s children - Earth's only hope for a better tomorrow.
This book won 'The Poetry Category'
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Stimulating imagery in this poetic-philosophic composition on this world we have created ~ "Comes in Last and Laughs" ~ and lead the reader to think on humankind's destiny.
Reading "Comes in Last and Laughs" was a learning experience.
Andre Emmanuel Bendavi ben-YEHU
A wild one herself, the
Sage
As vivid as can be to me!!
Lived among them laughing Hyenas for very long!!
Whether it be a personal war or a social war, or just simply a war of survival..they happen, and as sad as it seems, it's become a normal way of life. What is even sadder is that we continue to go on, no matter how many stains of art lay in our path.
Many many meanings is laced throughout this gorgeous write. Great work Phyllis!
Lisa
A sensitively portrayed array of intelligences senses, and agonies, Pea. Added and exhumed by self.
I am prey, yet, I am prey-killer.
What else is there, when we wonder of Life?
Erin Elizabeth Kelly-Moen
Eileen
You don't shirk from the ugly reality of life for predator and prey; interesting how you compare both to human actions. BRAVA! A well written, vividly imaged, stark reminder...excellent!
((((HUGS)))) and love, Karla.
Felix
Ratty looking are the hyenas.
Well done, Pod