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!:)

[Dara]

I love your poem. It creates wonderful images of some of my favorite creatures and the ending is perfect.

[Tom]

Thank you Dara !

[wordman]

beware where you go and be mindful of your surrondings a good lesson

[Tom]

That's about it in a nutshell Wordman & thank you for commenting !

[J Todd Underhill]

The would be a great spoken word art piece! Loved it

[Tom]

Once again Sir, my sincere thanks for your appreciation of my poetry !

[B]

I can totally feel this

Great job

[Tom]

Thank you Nisreenaa !

[CA Anurag Sharma]

a gem...
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 ?


what great wisdom....

[Tom]

Thanks indeed Anurag for such a praiseworthy review of my 'beastly' story !

[Bright Ocean Star]

I like the sentiment behind this one. Wild animals bite and kill, because it is in their nature. We respect them and give them their due space, if we are smart. However, the man is the most dangerous of all God's creatures. Man sometimes kills for no reason at all. Thank you for sharing this one.

[Tom]

Yes indeed, you've captured my poems meaning perfectly, you certainly are a Bright Ocean Star for sure and thanks for visiting and commenting !

[Great Aunt Astri]

What a wonderful poem, with discreet rhymes too! I agree it was quite 'jovial' with a serious point, but I found that worked quite well I enjoyed it very much.

[Tom]

Thank Great Auntie for your welcome visit & comment of my beastly poem !

[Great Aunt Astri]

I wonder what it would take to make beasts into gentle creatures?

[Tom]

If the beasts you refer to Great Auntie Astri is mankind, if only I knew ?

[Great Aunt Astri]

Perhaps we have to wait for the Hereafter1

[Devanshu Rajput]

I liked the rhyme employed in here. The poem is beautifully simple. Without in any extravagance in using words or employing flamboyance in writing you really have made me enjoy this magnificent piece of write.

You reflected the ultimate truth and the irony of the universe. Indeed, no beast is more dangerous than being a man.

Thanks for sharing this sort of piece.

Devanshu

[Tom]

A belated thank you Devanshu for your visit and perceptive comments !

[Devanshu Rajput]

You are welcome. It was my pleasure to have come across work like this.

Devanshu

[~]

A great journey through wilderness Tom. And a powerful observation about mankind shredding its kin to pieces while they can.

[Tom]

Indeed you're quite right, and thank you for the visit and comments !

[Miss Sharon]

Fabulous write...what a closing statement this makes. It is so sadly true. Very enjoyable read. ~Sharon

[Tom]

Thank you Miss Sharon for your praiseworthy words !

[Miss Sharon]

You are very welcome my friend! ~Sharon