Beware the beast !

It's a jungle out there folks.....be careful !

Shun the tiger, silent and stealth
searching for its quarry,
stay indoors and mind your health
or you'll be very sorry!

Don't dip your toes, in the water cool
where the crocodile patiently waits,
for you will look a silly fool
if swallowed whole, in front of all your mates!

Be watchful of prowling wolf
when walking through a leafy wood,
run away, should you hear its ghastly howl
don't be naive, like little red riding hood!

Heed the hyena's mocking laugh
hungry for meat, red and raw,
let not yourself be chewed in half
by its powerful, bone crushing jaw!

Avoid the snake in the grass
hiding out of sight,
keep on the path, don't trespass
or you'll receive a poisonous bite!

If playing the fine, colonial game
in land of mahout and elephant,
guard against the mosquito's toxic aim
and rebuff it with repellant!

Step over the ant, small and placid
is my solemn decree,
for it is armed with formic acid
just like a million brothers,
from the colony!

And beware the beast, trust the least,
a bloodthirsty creature, known as Man,
no lethal jaws, rasping claws, poisonous bite, nor acidic might..
But he may kill you...just because he Can?

Reviews

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Wonderful and wise poem! Childrens’ parable and adults’ admonition to recognize hidden dangers and beware. Love the animal verses! Great language, form, flow, cadence and imagery. Last verse is so relevant now-how lethal man is “just because he can”. Important poem and lesson. Thank you Tom.

[Tom]

Yes, sadly still rings true, Man, always the aggressor!

Thank you Annette for stopping by my friend!

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

You are so welcome Tom-a joy to read this!:)

[Poetic Beauty]

Man definitely is the most dangerous beast on this planet. We kill for differences in religion and culture. Humans kill to kill not only other species but each other as well.

[Tom]

yup, nailed in one, thank you PB

[barleygirl]

Love the way you weave the different aspects of various monsters in different scenarios, all nicely symbolizing life in this ole scary world! Your choice of details POP with imagery & your rhymes are unusual & well-crafted. Despite all these monsters, I'll take my chances out there in the jungle! *wink! wink!* Fondly, Margie

[Tina Kline]

So true, especially te ending. The most dangerous beast of all. For this beast decides to ge good or not, to let live or to kill. Nicely done poem. Well written.

[Tom]

You've got it Tina and thank you for reading !

[Tina Kline]

You're very welcome.

[Aella Magne]

I think it's great! It gets us settled to expect the that the author'll enumerate commonly known beasts and warn us against them and to be wary within their territories, and then it suddenly drops a bomb in the end - the reality of men; of how they kill just because they could do so, unlike these so-labeled dangerous animals, who only attack because it's how they really are or when they feel threatened. I love how you started it lightheartedly and ended it (still maintaining to light mood) surprisingly!

[Tom]

Yes indeed Aella, you got right there and thanks for your considered review of my poem and most welcome visit to my page !

[Jyoti_Ablaze]

I am not an animal lover and your poem did made me feel that I am kinda right about it!
I liked the ending, the best!
Humans and their hypocrisy.

[Tom]

Again, thanks for your comments and point of view, though I would be more suspicious and weary of humans than I would be of animals !

[Jyoti_Ablaze]

Yes that is the core perspective of your beautiful poem as well.
You are welcome.

[Gee]

Sweet.like this.animals kill because it's in their nature man kills as you say,because he can.nice write Tom

[Tom]

thank you Gee !

[T.S. Claus]

Awesome! I'll be sharing this one!

[Tom]

Thank you T.S. Claus !

[D.T.]

Wow..this was an excellent read! And very true about people. Great job!

[Tom]

Thanks indeed D.T.

[gabrielle]

Very well-thought piece, Tom. The animals usually became agitated and dangerous when they feel threatened. Humans, on the other hand, bite for no reason at all. Funny that, we call ourselves the most intelligent. :)

[Tom]

Thank you Gabrielle and you're spot on with your review !