The Nature of Things

Just the way things are...........................................

See those magpies?

They would have their fill of me

should I drop to the earth

and be still of heart, dead.

They scatter and flee from the garden

when the living me walks across the lawn,

but they and their cousin crows

would consume my flesh,

see me as carrion,

should they light upon my corpse.

 

17/01/20

Reviews

[...]

Again very good observation. Every creature have useful meaning. We die and we will give food to another creature from our own flesh . I just hope I will be really dead cause otherwise it will be really painful like a death.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

There are some who practice 'Air' burials. They are 'chopped-up' and fed to the corvids and birds of prey. Many thanks for reading.

[...]

I think any of this places can be Tibet. Cause there is quiet hard to dig graves at Rocky soil.

[Coyote Poetry]

Those birds of prey. Worth create many scary stories. In the forest. Nothing is wasted and I did like these words John. One day, we will become part of the dirt again. Thank you for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Many thanks Coyote John

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome John.

[Eilis]

The grim nature of nature can be a bit hard to countenance at times. But the beauty of it is that all of nature works together to keep this grand life functioning and moving forward. Without the scavengers and decomposers we wouldn’t have space to continue our lives because we’d be surrounded by the dead. Not always easy to accept the how and why of nature. That was what your poem said to me. While also pointing out that duality that is ever present. The bird that is innocuous and interesting to observe when conditions are right. But there is always the flip side.

Good to see you posting, John.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thanks Eilis. I took a break after a nasty spell where my page was again cloned by KT Little and used to upset people. I have warned folk and pointed out that if in doubt you can tell the difference by scrolling over my avatar or picture and Passion8 should be the name attached to my WC details in the left hand bottom of the screen. Yours is Eiliswren. Anyway your comment is great as it also extends my thinking on this issue and stimulates more creativity. Many thanks.

[Markus Anthony]

I love how a small moments like this or a simple walk in the park creates multitudes of thoughts like morbidness of death and carnage which are the natural ways of life. The imagery is soft and but at the same time impactful.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Hi Markus, Indeed these simple things leave their mark. Many thanks!

[Jennesis]

I just saw a whole convention of magpies today on my walk. They are beautiful smart birds...love the imagery and contrast of living and dead things....

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thanks for reading Jennesis

[Robert Trakofler]

I love crows:) certain sects of Tibetan buddhist have what is known as a "Sky burial" where they chop up the flesh of the deceased and feed it to the vultures:) I would be down with that why do people always have to be worm food? I would rather feed the crows:) I acknowledge that eventually I will go down on the food chain might as well feed what I love I have been doing that with poetry most of my life:) LOL My favorite poem i ever wrote is still the one I did about the crows "one cold and cloudy rise"

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thanks Robert. My wife introduced me to the concept of the 'air burial' and the natural burial ground. Interesting. I may opt to burn before the devil has his say. Nothing to 'crow' about I guess!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

just like serial killers...they seem to exhibit normal behavior...blend in...scatter when we approach...but then prey on us...when we are unaware.
Good to see you back John.
j.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thanks Jacob. Did my time at last. Indeed these dark creatures seem to hover over us or sit watching and waiting.

[Einstein Noodle]

yep ... it is .. if they're kept at bay ... its the worms that get us ;) spoken like a true Sophist John ..
E.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

We get consumed both ways if we end up in the earth 'E' so perhaps it's fire for me lol. Many thanks.

[Einstein Noodle]

that's me own plan as well ... into the oven I go ;)

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Some like it hot eh?

[Einstein Noodle]

:)............................