image by Thomas Pollart.
Dawn Patrol
“I am but mad north-northwest; but when the wind
is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw.”
--William Shakespeare.
The white-out is coming
said the squirrel
to the hare;
Put on
your white winter coat
to fool the hawks.
The flapping wings
are already
in the gray clouds.
Death can be quick for
rabbits in the snow; talons
dropping from the sky.
Glenn Buttkus
Posted over at dVerse Poets Pub
Stunning images evoked here, Glenn. Love the Shake quote, love those "talons dropping from the sky..."
ReplyDeleteOh yes.. love the wintercoat on hares. Different species have it or not... but they are wonderful in their white coats.
ReplyDelete"talons dropping from the sky"
ReplyDeleteOh, Glenn....this brings to mind a very sharp memory from my childrens' very young days. I was driving them home, on our street in our neighborhood about 4 houses away from ours and suddenly a hawk or something like a hawk swooped down into our neighbor's bushes and flew back up with a squealing bunny in its talons. My kids started screaming to me to stop and help!!! Well, I stopped the car, jumped out and stood screaming at the bird like a banshee, clapping my hands and I'll be darned if the bird didn't drop the bunny. But of course it was dead and bloody --- what a lesson in nature that was for my kids. Ugh.
Somehow, your lines seem kinder here :)
I do like this one, Glenn. Love anything to do with hares, but your evocation of their winter coat makes me almost wish for snow.
ReplyDeleteGood mediation on the turn to winter. And "talons dropping from the sky" is excellent!.
ReplyDeleteI do like the winter coats of hares, especially those that turn white. Nature can be harsh but nature is honest, more so that humans.
ReplyDeleteI am particularly fond of hares, Glenn, especially in their winter coats! Beware talons dropping from the sky!
ReplyDeleteSuch a ponderous verse — the meditation over death aided by the whites and grimness of the tone make it so effective. The imagery is indeed very well done.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful poem.
-HA
Nice first line about the white-out. I can see why a rabbit does that with hawks in the sky.
ReplyDeleteNature can be very brutal and harsh to creatures just trying to survive winter. I have seen those sharp talons from the sky and they sure can kill.
ReplyDeleteWinter itself proves to be harsh and at the same time brimming with wisdom as we learn to survive and hold onto hope.
ReplyDeleteWell, that is a different perspective of a hawk, yet realistic. I enjoy watching hawks soar above and unfortunately, I have seen them catch their prey.
ReplyDeleteAlas, I don't suppose autumn is the favorite season of hares, dreading the white-out to come! Great write.
ReplyDeleteTrue and brutal, Glenn. Twice it happened that I was photographing sparrows foraging outside my window when a hawk swooped down and carried one off - very disturbing. Oh, I know...it's the way of nature.
ReplyDeleteFirst songbird feeder I put outside my kitchen window. It was quite the deadly "runway" for the hawks... I moved it to a secluded corner with bushes and trees. I'll never forget the kids faces as the female cardinal came face to face with your "talons from the sky..."
ReplyDeleteReally well expressed, Glenn...the play between prey and predator. Chilling!
ReplyDeletewhite coats can be a good camouflage but when they sweep down they can't run for cover
ReplyDeleteBeautiful account.
ReplyDeleteLove this warning conversation between the squirrel and the hare.
ReplyDeleteLove everything about this artfully woven poem. Nice use of the word 'quick' one can feel the urgency for the hare and the 'talons droping from the sky'...how very apt for the hare's view. Nice work.
ReplyDeleteGreat choice of quote and stunned by your line, "talons dropping from the sky"...it's over quickly!
ReplyDeleteYou set a vivid scene for this survival conversation. Love it... there ought to be more!
ReplyDeleteThe ending put me in the hare's perspective, seeing those talons approaching from the skies. Yikes.
ReplyDelete