For Survival or Greed
By James Fraser and Carolyn Devonshire
A hungry gray feline sees a mouse; quickly does she pounce
Instincts come into play as jungle creatures eye their prey
Natural selection rules the vast animal kingdom
By striking fast they earn the right to live another day
We read in the papers and we watch on the news
As I look out my window, and ponder man's thoughts
What do we see through our eyes as we view
Our ability to kill and leave one's life naught
Complicated survival games play out each strenuous day
From the frigid Arctic tundra to torrid dark jungles
Beasts on the prowl are trekking nature's intended path
Another victim falls as distant thunder rumbles
Opportunists linger as the perpetrators dare
Man stalking down dark alleys and dimly-lit streets
Confronted, accosted in criminal stare
Where the innocents in danger, generally meet
Other members of the animal kingdom have no choice
They slay only to keep themselves and their families alive
But it's man who plays the most dangerous of games
Killing for thrill, politics or greed; how can man survive?
It's the evil of man who takes what he wants
With the blade of a knife, with his terror taunts
His escalation from flint to gun
This most wonderful world in masculine haunt
If man continues to develop harsh weapons
The skies may explode in carnivorous fashion
Consuming not just one animal species, but all
Leaving angels to mourn the death of God's creations
Wow, what a great subject. I always say the vanity of man is incomparable to anything else. Man has the ability to explain why they should be so brutal, i.e., terrorizing the wild horses populations; or simply just that man needs to control to feel what? Whole? The hunter, the gun, the chip on the shoulder, road rage, the wars...... it is never ending - man's ego - a means of total self-destruction! Carolyn and James - wow! You got me goin' on this one! Welcome to Whispers, James! A great and stirring collaboration! Love it! Sheri / www.poetryandbeyond.net
ReplyDeleteDear Sheri,
DeleteYour comment captured the gist of the entire poem. While most animals hunt for survival, man is motivated by "ego" and greed. Your example of the "wild horses" is right on track. It was the same with buffalo in our country's earlier days. Thank you for your comment!
Love,
Carolyn
This is a worthy collaboration with a great message to deliver. Nature does not depend on greed, double-dealing and back-stabbing to survive; unfortunately man does, and that will ultimately lead to self-destruction! // paul
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment, Paul. For me, his subject has always been one that has generated fear for mankind's future. Indeed, "self-destruction" may ultimately be our downfall.
DeleteA very well done collaboration by the two of you....
ReplyDeleteI agree with your opinions....
Mankind is a cruel and harsh dealer of torture...
Mother Nature's creatures kill for survival....
This was well done indeed....with a message to heed....for the changes we need....for the better....thanks for this tremendous share....
Write On!
Brightest Blessings to you and yours!
~Dena
Dear Dena,
DeleteThank you for your kind words. Indeed, we need change if mankind is to survive.
Love,
Carolyn
Just want to welcome James to Whispers and thank him for co-writing with me. We seem to have the same mindset on man's inhumanity to man. Thank you, James! Love,
ReplyDeleteCarolyn
Dear James,
DeleteWelcome to Whispers too! Thank you for allowing me to publish this wonderful collaborative poem you and Carolyn wrote. It is such a timely and powerful piece. Hope you will be sharing more of your work here. If you have any questions, please let me know.
Karen
Timely topic... wonderfully woven... Terry
ReplyDeleteThank you, Terry. James and I have co-written many poems together as his style is similar to mine. I would still LOVE to write a limerick with you. Karen has my email address if you find the time. Enjoy the warm weather!
DeleteBest wishes,
Carolyn
Nice collaboration, James and Carolyn. There are some very true points in your poem, as well as blending your creativity to make this a pleasure to read and enjoy. Thank you both for sharing, Continued blessings!
ReplyDelete-Maurice J. Reynolds, Owner / Editor
TGBTG! Publications / Creative Inspirations
www.tgbtgpublictions.com
Dear Maurice,
DeleteThank you for your ever-kind words. Both James and I fear for mankind's future.
Love,
Carolyn
Thank you, Robert Hinshaw, for the following--
ReplyDelete"Dear Carolyn and James. I enjoyed this splendid verse from two of the most creative poets I know. Congratulations for your fine work and we hope to see more collabs from you!" Bob Hinshaw
Thank you, Isha Wagner, for the following--
ReplyDeleteThis well-crafted poem brings forth (once again) the flaw in the human brain structure meaning our natural aggressiveness and seemingly inability to live and grow in peace.
It also reminds me of Richard Dawkins comment:
'I never lose my sense of wonder at the sheer unlikelihood of having briefly "made it" on a planet where cruel extinction has held such sway, and where the chance of being conceived let alone safely delivered is infinitesimal'
So this poem says it all, congratulations to the writers. With best wishes.
Isha Wagner
Thank you for sharing the Richard Dawkins quote, Isha. I hadn't heard it before, but I surely agree with it. Seems like many poets can relate to Dawkins' sentiments. Thanks for your kind words.
DeleteBest wishes,
Carolyn
Thank you, David Austin, for the following--
ReplyDeleteBeing an animal lover and being quite fed up with violence, I appreciate the collaboration. My best to Carolyn and James. Love, Dave
Yes, Daver, your love for animals has always made you dear in my heart. I guess quite a few of us are fed up with violence!
DeleteLove you, dear friend,
Carolyn
James and Carolyn, I echo Sheri with WOW! An amazing collaboration. Thank you for a very well written and thought provoking poem.
ReplyDeleteThat mankind could be as obedient to God's will for them, as are animals in the animal kingdom. I was just watching the news today and I didn't listen long, before thinking "There never seems to be good news to report?".
We are told as Christians that before the end it will get worse instead of better. I wonder how much worse it has to get before the Savior comes? All I can do is focus on being the best I can be for Jesus and leave the rest in His hands.
Love, Charlene
Dear Charlene,
DeleteI, too, wonder how much longer mankind will be on this planet. Surely it can't much worse than t is right now, but I will rejoice when the Savior comes. In the meantime, we can still try to unite and hopefully change the tide.
I was a reporter and there were some occasions when I had the pleasure of writing and broadcasting about good, uplifting stories -- like the work of Habitat for Humanity, the preservation of historical landmarks and the implementation of new laws that will actually benefit people in need.
Still, I agree that "bad news" gets the most attention. Since we are not animals, we have the option to make our world better or worse.
Thank you for your much-appreciated comments, dear.
Love,
Carolyn
Thank you, Jack Horne, for the following--
ReplyDeleteYou two write so well together - loved this collaboration
I do miss writing with James, Jack. Now it's you to whom I turn when I want to co-write. God bless you for being there through the good and bad times.
Delete