Totem
Solitary, I slink over boulders
Judging my next meal's abilities
Single out the weak and the old
or the odd one whose deformities
Hinder the welfare of the herd, I will
Move so swift and silent to the kill
Lazy day lounging in the growth
Relaxing but ever aware
One cub playfully pulling the other
Wrestling, rolling, biting at hair
A mother's sense of commitment and peace
Threaten the children, from life you I will release
Full moon glowing keeps us sure footed
Race from forest to field
Brothers and sisters roaming freely
Seeking what nature has to yield
Silent lupine watchmen of the night
Claws and jaws keep our world right
For thousands of years we've kept to the scheme
Of Nature's patterns and intricate weaves
Now our fate is in your greedy hands
Discard us, we go the way of dried up leaves
You've pushed us to the edge, here we majestically remain
Leave us, that we may survive, in our totem of life and domain
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Just beautiful, Justin...
I had to look up the word lupine, but once I did the poem took on even more meaning. Your description is truly majestic! And when you spoke of the possible extinction of the species, it made me very sad. Thanks for a great poem, Justin.
Joyce
In you debt
I am in your debt, Joyce, for all the kind words you give me. I have a friend, who is an artist, par excellence, and the painting which caused me to write this poem makes the words I used to try and do it justice seem inadequate. It's one of those pieces of art that you can just stare into. The cougar, bear, and wolf heads appear to change expression as you gaze upon it. She is truly amazing at what she does. So, I thank her for giving the inspiration to write what you thanked me for.
Thank you for the literary critic comment, too. That Tums poem is definitely one of kind...but I heard somewhere that "everybody hates a critic". lol
Justin
Well Said Justin
Justin,
This piece immediately brought to mind the horrendous conditions these native Americans must deal with on those pitiful reservations. I'm going to stop before I get mad and start ranting profusely.
Well done,
Pete