THE PREY

dark, motives, stature

Whales, sovereign, wealth of the sea

sidle along beneath the ocean's surface

splash up a breath, fountains of spray

playful, zealous, fervent, maternal, sexual, moody

glut on smaller prey, as tiny as krill

other creatures scramble for they are taken at whim

weaker links to the sea's marine existence

survive if they are canny, wise if they ascertain a motive

Her world pleads for passion, short affairs with men of quintessence

jilted once too often, lonely, bereft of meaning

she takes to to a young man who haunts, stalks her

at first, she ignores his glances, unfits her stature

a street urchin as she refers to him

though she is fraught, face drawn, lips sink, creases on her neck

she hesitates to take his lead, suspicious

his dark brown eyes beg, she accepts his gesture, with some reticence

Her spirit beseeches rapture, she feels warmth

his statuesque body, hairy chest, dark complexion, sad aspect on his face

she quizzes "Why me? My wealth?"

surely young sexy women would drool

At nightfall, her room heats from their entwined torsos

his sweat drips, bubbles on her skin

she closes her eyes, floats in his euphoria

forgets her whereabouts

as she awakens, he exits

he re-appears as darkness falls

fourteen nights of bliss, dreams of fervor, a bond

Hence, his mood alters, dark, irritated, removed

his motive unfulfilling

once again her body crumbles, spirit ruptures

he snarls, slams the door tight

she snatches his intention, her wealth is his catch

she is his prey and he is hers

Reviews

[John the Baptist]

Downright Darwinian, this one. The first verse is seemingly a world and a species away from the rest of the poem, but it sets the symbolism for the rest. The whale and the woman reflect one another, one rich in size, the other in dollars. They both apparently rule their realms, and the smaller creatures have to scramble to survive. With the woman, however, we see she is as much prey as is the young street type with whom she has an affair. It's hot and heavy for a while, but then things start to sour. He's only been after her money, just as she was only after his body. In the ocean or on the street, it's all CHOMP!

[Betty Hermelee]

You are so with it John, that’s exactly the point I’m trying to make here. The whale has a wealth of stature and wealth, as the woman in the poem, but aren’t they really ordinary people when it comes to love, devotion, sensuality?? It’s the same o the high seas as it is on the streets.....so happy you liked it; thank you, thank you, best, Betty

[BWOz]

Hi Betty,
I'm writing this review without having read others' reviews so hopefully not repeating what is already in the book. First, the title (of course) does make me want to ready the poem, find out what the "prey" is.

First stanza sets a very nautical and natural scene, but I don't think it connects well with remaining stanzas. As I read I keep thinking there will be some nautical or scenic nature references to draw it back to what I think could be stronger metaphor of how whales behave/prey in their environment related to how the smaller mammals is a different environment. I hope that is not too lofty a way to say it.

Regardless of my interpretation, a well crafted poem with tons of visual and sensual elements. We prey, we are the prey. Brian

[emmajoy]

Seems your words are part of humanity's long time recipe, Betty" How to exist whatever size, innocence or prowess or whatever, you will finish up judged and found wanting and, no matter form or size and whatever your planet.. in the end, someone will write a poem or novel or joke around you.. but it can't or won't be as multi faceted as the original.. yours" Don't know why the last two stanzas remind me of David and Goliath.

[Betty Hermelee]

Very interesting interpretation of this poem; I like to thin of it as survival of the fittest, in a way; Thanks for your in-depth review, very kind Emma. Take good care, Betty

[emmajoy]

Read a couple of times, trying to pin the three stanzas togethe', perhaps wrongly came up with what I typed. Hope it doesn't offend you, Betty. x

[Betty Hermelee]

Not at all, i always appreciate you reviews....I was talking about people preying upon others... for whatever reason; in this case she had the wealth but a sad life; he coned her into an affair with the intent of getting money; they were both losers in a sense....the first paragraph with the whales just joins the wealth, the prey , the hierarchy in a different modality....compare and contrast...hard to follow i know....thank you again for your review!!!

[emmajoy]

Phew, thanks for letting me know that, Betty? I need to re-read your poem with the info above firmly in my mind. Can be as slow as a slug at times! Will go eat now then come back later. Til then.. ..

[Betty Hermelee]

As John says, definitely Darwinian!! Any interpretation is personal, no right or wrong here!!!

[emmajoy]

You are such a diplomat and - so much better than most, Betty!

[Paul Bell]

It's funny how needs are portrayed.
The prey and the preyed.
Everyone has something to offer, and sometimes the offer is just mutual gratification. It's when the power shift interrupts the actions and the truth is laid bare that the compatibility just isn't there.
Wonder if there's a website for rich women action where the two-metre rule doesn't apply.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks Paul, I think this is a very sad comment on wealth and aging, the need for passion, but wealth gets in the way.... this woman is desperate for a meaningful relationship; she’ll stoop as low as a young poor “urchin” to get it, having been “dumped by men of her stature. I like you comment, but did you like my poem? Fondly , Betty

[Paul Bell]

I did, Betty, it portrays my theory on love. Poor and rich people can't fall in love, your poem concurs with my thinking.

[Betty Hermelee]

OH Thanks... I need the kudos!!!

[barleygirl]

I love the way you begin with the symbolism of whales which most would recognize as a reference to Ahab, the whale-hunting maniac in the classic Moby Dick tale. Whereas your writing style is usually straightforward & not so much nuanced, there are a ton of interesting nuances here: "Why me? My wealth?" -- thinking of a whale's wealth being its blubber, whereas a woman's wealth are her sexual wiles. As your poem proceeds to a woman-as-prey aspect, I'm reminded of the whirlwind hookups where two hot eager folks meet up, go wild in the sheets for 2 weeks -- the point at which most begin to see beyond the pheromones & get bugged by the many unacceptable flaws. At the end, you somewhat paint the woman as being victimized, but I'm glad your final line shows the truth of these matters . . . even tho her wealth is snatched, he was just as much her prey, too. She's obviously needy -- needing to be validated, needing to prove that her wiles are still her wealth. You've painted a sad but realistic word portrait of both (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie