Deadly.

Fay Slimm.

 

 

Deadly.


Over his own cliff-top territory

glides the lone bird.

Combing each spot effortlessly

in silent search.

 

Sole- rider of wind-swept
lunchtime sky,
the motionless Kestral sits
on thermal-vibe 
for moments while scanning,
hungrily sights
every nuance of movement
before swooping
to earth in deadly attention 
when extended claws
knifing will open the primals
then falcon dives
and death hurls toward life.

 

Eyes must keep alerted for
waterless rodents
or surfacing underground
moles, delicate
fare for this fierce predator
bridging the wind,
for up-draught means more
hollow boned fight
for best active performance
of breath-stopping
spin in near impossible flash 
of lightning speed
as raptor stoops once again.

 

Not always goes majestic Kestrel

to sleep extra full-bellied.

Yet skyborne again at dawn well

reveals his endless intent.



  • Author: Fay Slimm. (Offline Offline)
  • Published: May 28th, 2020 04:02
  • Category: Unclassified
  • Views: 51
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Comments +

Comments8

  • ANGELA & BRIAN

    Good Morning Fay ~ both our Muses seem to be BIRDING this morning. Both the KESTREL & the KINGFISHER are excellent Hunters in their own domain. Natures complex & necessary Food Chains & Food Webs are a thing of intrinsic beauty. We are as *Red in Tooth & Claw* as much the Birds of Prey. Kestrals - Kingfishers - Kittyhawks - Dont get their dinner served on a Plate - they have to work for it ! Thanks for servng another beautiful Symbiosis of Pic & Poem to brighten our May Morning !

    Blessings & Peace & Joy
    Love A & B & Smokey Cat !

    • Fay Slimm.

      Yes it seems today was a bird-day and the Kestrel featured in my little offering I saw doing his stuff one afternoon and had to describe what I thought was his method of silently hanging in air until movement or sound brought him dropping like lightning so near to my car. A feat worth seeing close up is a stoop. Thank you indeed for another fine comment.

    • orchidee

      Good write Fay.

    • peto

      Watched a kite do something similar this week
      Lovely write
      Fav line
      Death hurls toward life

      • Fay Slimm.

        Something I would love to see is a kite on the hunt - such an attractive sight I imagine. Thanks for your welcome visit and comment dear peto.

      • Michael Edwards

        Great write, great bird. It must be bird day today.

        • Fay Slimm.

          Yes bird-day indeed - though they make such attractive subjects for a poem - -thanks Michael for your read and input.

        • Neville


          Oh' how well you have captured the very essence of the 'Windhover' my friend... and indeed the harsh world in which they fail or thrive..... N

          • Fay Slimm.

            Thanking you muchly for comparing my few words with "Windhover" one of my all time faves which not having read for an age must renew my pleasure real soon - so good to recall that you too are a Gerard Manley Hopkins fan and understand a predator's need to spot and catch live food daily - - thank yous galore for your valued support.

            • Neville

              although I like some of Hopkins poetry and indeed his religious \'Windhover\' … my reference was to the kestrel you depicted so accurately.... and which from medieval times was often referred to as a windhover
              …………… x

              • Fay Slimm.

                Ah - bless ya my friend - - another learning curve for me re. the medieval term of windhover - thanking you Nev for the kind explanation........... yes I too find that Hopkins when taken in small doses is so inspirational...................... x

                • Neville


                  Yes, for one who was so devoutly spiritual, he got his two pennies worth in, in a round about way didn't he.. x

                • Saxon Crow

                  I love watching kestrel hunt. Good poem Fay.

                  • Fay Slimm.

                    Yes kestrels are magnificent birds and know just how to ride thermals. - - glad you enjoyed the read and thanks for dropping by my friend.

                  • Goldfinch60

                    Kestrels are wonderful birds to see, as are all raptors, I have seen most of the types of raptor in the UK but the main one missing is the Golden Eagle, I have seen Sea Eagles though.

                    Great write on a wonderful bird.

                    Andy

                  • Goddess of the Mist

                    Lovely poem!



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