Deadly Intent.
Over his cliff-top territory glides the bird.
Silent he hunts in an easy-wing searching.
A lone rider of wind-swept
lunchtime sky,
the kestrel stays motionless,
hovering high
for seconds while scanning,
with raptor eyes
every nuance of movement
for ready cause
to swoop with deadly intent,
extended claws
now knifing and open wide
he gracefully dives
leaving me awed and sighing.
This time, as often, his dinner uncaught.
Not always goes he into dusk full-bellied.
He must keep alerted for
waterless rodents
or underground snuffles
of surfacing moles,
all fare for a sky-predator
bridging his bets
for needed dinner by more
keenly-edged
fighting for better wingfold
in down-winding
spin and near life and death
speed of frightening
stoop as his skill tries again.
I caught the swift glory of avian action.
A kestrel feels naught but his majesty.
-
Author:
Fay Slimm. (
Offline) - Published: July 25th, 2022 02:13
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 42
- User favorite of this poem: L. B. Mek.
Offline)
Comments8
such a vivid scene, you've painted
dear Fay
a unique, read
with poetic voice, allowing us
relieve the experience
and the awe, felt in witnessing
such majestic grace, in nature's
uncompromisingly brutal, power
...
when i worked at harrods
we used to get an eagle handler
come every week
and let that magnificent
and HUGE
thoroughbred of a creature, roam
around
to scare away the other birds...
reading your words
took me right back to that moment
thank you!
Wow L.B. Just to imagine a great eagle roaming around Harrods makes me think there must be a poem somewhere in that experience for you to write one day - -- am delighted however the read of such magnificent birds brought back memories for you .
If I could be anything other than me, I would probably wish to be a red-thighed-falconet, or a tawny owl or a ... kestrel maybe ...... x
Hi Nev, - Your explicit wish to be able to fly with the biggest and best made me aware of a typo now righted - -- great to know from a friend how to spell - KESTREL eh ? - - support like yours is ever appreciated mon cher ami...............x
Good write Fay.
Thank you Orchi.
Splendid read, Fay.
Spectacular imagery.
Yes nothing more awesome than a n avian predator seeking a meal. Thanks a loadJerry for your comment on Deadly Intent.
Beautifully penned dear poetess. I've often watched birds of prey gliding, circling and wished I could soar. Funny to think that such beauty of motion can result in death for an unsuspecting ground dweller. As always, your words capture the mind and the heart.
Thanks so much Bella for dropping by for a read of Deadly Intent - - yes I agree it shocks to see how avian predators dive and catch live supper - at least though they do so only when hungry. Pleased you saw ion the verse the perfect skill of birds like the kestrel.
Beautifully penned dear poetess. I've often watched birds of prey gliding, circling and wished I could soar. Funny to think that such beauty of motion can result in death for an unsuspecting ground dweller. As always, your words capture the mind and the heart.
And the wild predatory majesty is just what we see when fortunate enough to observe the hunt.
Brought back memories of watching these (or similar - I'm no ornithologist) raptors in action.
Your welcome comment perfectly sums up the predator subject with the word Majesty dear Dusk - to stand and view the hunt has to produce feelings of awe.
Good words Fay. I have seen many raptors in my time, they are wonderful creatures and for me always a joy to see.
Andy
Yes dear Andy a real joy to see these amazing birds hunting just for their food and nothing more.
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