The Shark

I love stories that empathize with the beast. I try to write them occasionally - this was one of my better attempts, originally published in early 1984

a ripple in the water
pounding of waves on the beach
tranquil beauty
waiting waiting
a gleam of a cruel eye

the dorsal fin erupts from the blue-green abyss
speed and power
grace and evil
striking thrashing
blood terror the
mercy of death

A showing of white teeth
bloodied
silver grey
unfeeling unafraid
and death itself descends
descends to the deep to wait

Author's Note

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/Caribbean_reef_shark.jpg

Reviews

[David Scott]

Great job here.
Nature mirrors back the darkness and the light...

[ValyrieKiennan]

Absolutely lovely words. The images are chilling! However I would argue that this piece is not from the perspective of the creature, rather it is being described in third person terms!

[Lyn Anderson]

you are correct. more of an empathy and admiration

[ValyrieKiennan]

Yes ;) And a lovely way of expressing it at that!

[Lyn Anderson]

Thanks. I find these kind of poems tougher to do, but I like them when they turn out right

[Lydia Shutter]

Chilling words! You have captured the danger a shark carries with him...his powerful teeth, the damage they can cause. Beauty and beast.....a thin line between the two. Great imagery. Lydi**