Young Pretenders

(found in an old notebook of mine, swans are very territorial in the mating season)

As swirling veils of winter mists

are softly kissed by half-baked sun,

a lovestruck swan in courting mood

checks out his rivals one by one.

Into his path newcomers stray,

too close by far throughout the morn,

hostile aggression he displays,

demeanour set, full feathered white

sharp focused, ready neck set low,

at speed he glides prepared to fight.

All young pretenders freeze in fear,

a battleship approaches there,

no hesitation on their part

as threats abound, their actions smart.

They don't perchance a second glance,

fast turn direction, sail away.

Reviews

[Davidgeo]

That's some well worded flow this morning. It was interesting to imagine this playing out with swans, and then people. You could see this in an amusing and charming way or a more, aggressive, natural animalistic way. It works both ways but, I prefer the charming take.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you David. What I saw was pure aggression in nature. However human nature often mirrors what happens in the natural environment. If you could see this in the context of people as well, that's two for the price of one :) Many thanks.

Chris

[Lorry]

And extremely protective of their brood too. I used to take diversions from a local... Uhm, what's a group of swans called? A neck of swans?
So, as I was saying, I used to take diversions from a local neck of swans where I used to live, but I used to take them crackers and photograph them on the canal and I think they got used to me and meant them no harm. The second generation, which may be a necklace of swans, used to come right up to the bench when they saw me... But the parents/grandparents always kept a watchful eye on the young...as I did on them, just in case.
Your words brought these memories flooding back Chris. Your words flow so well, just like a neck of swans 😀

[Chris Shaw]

Lorry, so pleased to remind you of your Swan story. You seem so well informed, Is that real, a neck of swans or is that you using poetic licence? Any way you have really impressed me either with your super intelligence or your ptic imagination. Or maybe a bit of both? Thank you for checking this one out. Happy Monday.

Chris

[Lorry]

Poetic licence, just like when you see loads of adult swans, or as I call em, a fury 😀

[Chris Shaw]

I like the way your mind works :) a fury, how good is that?

[Lorry]

A group of baby penguins is a wiggle 😀

[Chris Shaw]

Now you've gone and dunnit. You have enough there for a poem. If there is a wiggle, there's gotta be a wobble :)

[Chris Shaw]

Now you've gone and dunnit. You have enough there for a poem. If there is a wiggle, there's gotta be a wobble :)

[Lorry]

A wobble of walrus"?
A blancmange of flamingos?
A disappointment of lemmings?
Hey, you might be right about that poem 😀

[Chris Shaw]

You know there's a poem there. Morning Lorry :) A blancmange of flamingos. Now that is poetry.

[Lorry]

I wish I hadn't said it. Reminded me of school lunches. And yes, it was pink on the way out too. The playground looked like a Jackson pollack nightmare 😀

[Chris Shaw]

Yuck reminds me of sandwich spread. We used to call that channel crossing :)) Add that to the Pilloc nightmare will ya :) could be worth a few bob.

[Lorry]

Ah, now for breakfast 😀

[jacob erin-cilberto]

don't mess with the Bismarck....that ship will destroy them all...first the Hood and then?
allegorical...the swans similar to male humans....she's mine, get away from her...or we fight...
and the rest know they are no match for the dominant male of the group.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

So right what you said Jacob. No messing there. Talk about dominant male and aggressive :) Just like some men in the same situation. Thank you, you were thinking what I was when I watched on.

Chris

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Lovely description of this scene as nature plays out the Darwinian story in the survival of the fittest. Set in your usual well metered, sweetly rhyming poetry.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks John for your lovely review. Most appreciated.

Chris

[Karmee]

This is a very good, and very well written write. enjoyed

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Korin. I appreciate your comments.

Chris