Aggressive Birds and Alley Cats

Written for fun after listening to a radio programme

dare you venture close to reeds
where river swans are nesting
be warned you won't be welcome
.
for never have I witnessed
such aggression when cygnets
are deemed under threat
.
white wing span all aflap
will loom large while sharp beaks
will attack visciously
.
then there are the other "birds"
falling out of the local boozer
after a night of exotic cocktails
.
what a sight for sore eyes
as strays come outside
claws sharpened ready to fight
.
for a randy gods gift tom cat
lapping up all the action
over a poke in a back alley
.

Reviews

[barleygirl]

I love your fresh artful depiction of this everyday phenomenon that most of us walk right by without commemorating it in a poem! I've watched a number of aggressive birds -- woodpeckers dive-bombing squirrels that try to climb the telephone pole to get their stash, geese in a local pond that keep the joggers moving along briskly, & last but not least, my hawks that circle over my cabin while erasing rodents -- one bashed into my window just the other day (my cabin is all windows, front & back, so the birds bash my windows pretty often, but never a huge bird like a hawk!) Anyhow, naturalists are against cats in the wilderness becuz they are so damaging to the various bird populations . . . however, I see it differently . . . I see the birds holding their own & I love that you write a snazzy poem about it! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Margie, and for sharing so much about the region you live. Take care with those wild fires about my friend.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Alfred Hitchcock eat your heart out.
These birds rival yours tenfold.
And yet, they just want to be left alone...that's all...
they are just saying..."get out of my yard"---
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Jacob. Yeah, the feathered sort can be pretty terrifying too:)

Chris

[Jimmy Yetts]

Entertaining--especially for lovers of Hitchcock's "The Birds."
Those never-truly-domesticated cats also got an artful nod.
Clever, extremely well-done, piece of work, Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Jimmy. You made my day and you got me blushing big time.

Chris

[Inessa]

Yess! I have seen the violence of swans protecting their young up close. It is brutal! It just shows that anything of grace and beauty can still resort to aggression to protect what they value most. The drunken "birds"? Seen them up close, too! Too much Vodka in Kiev and they can fight like the alleycats of your title. Most astute observations here, Christine and you brought them to life with your words.

[Chris Shaw]

You know Inessa swans are majestic creatures fascinating to watch, but alley cats? Too many of them these days. Thirsty in more ways than one. Got no class. Thanks poet for your visit.




Chris

[Lorry]

What show was it and can I download the podcast? 😀
I can almost hear the aggression filled almost female voice that is always heard when you're within spitting distance of an alley at pub tipping out time "Just leave him alone Barry, I need ma chips n cheese wi' gravy!" 😀
You just cannot buy that kinda class, where nickers are seen as ankle warmers and skirts are, pardon the vernackul... Vernacyou.... Language... p***y pelmets. 😀
Reminds me of newcastle (Sorry Newcastle), but the lassies go glam and the lads... Every one of them, to a man, that brown ale advert on black and white stripes 😀
Ahh, happy memories. Haven't bern in a while.
Hmmm... 😀

[Chris Shaw]

Just love your description of alley cats , Lorry. . Nickers as anklewarmers and skirts as pelmets)) No longer just seen in Newcastle, they are now well travelled. You've got them buttoned. Swans are much more classy with their behaviour. Ta muchly.

Chris

[Lorry]

What show was it and can I download the podcast? 😀
I can almost hear the aggression filled almost female voice that is always heard when you're within spitting distance of an alley at pub tipping out time "Just leave him alone Barry, I need ma chips n cheese wi' gravy!" 😀
You just cannot buy that kinda class, where nickers are seen as ankle warmers and skirts are, pardon the vernackul... Vernacyou.... Language... p***y pelmets. 😀
Reminds me of newcastle (Sorry Newcastle), but the lassies go glam and the lads... Every one of them, to a man, that brown ale advert on black and white stripes 😀
Ahh, happy memories. Haven't bern in a while.
Hmmm... 😀

[Lorry]

Is there an echo in here? 😀
Apologies. Must've clicked twice. I don't stutter, honest?!

[Chris Shaw]

Blimey, two for the price of one. Come again... er maybe I should rephrase that :)

Chris

[Lorry]

You wait ages for one and two come along at once 😀

[Dylan S]

Violence is a part of nature. We may consider animals less intelligent for this behavior but many humans act the same unfortunately.

[Chris Shaw]

Many humans are far worse Dylan. Really appreciate your visit and your thoughts. Thanking you muchly.

Chris

[Papaya]

I've seen so many brawls erupt in nature but your closing lines are perhaps a cleverly disguised description of a different type of wild life. Whatever the case, nicely done. :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Ana. The more I observe the natural world, the more I see similarities with the human species, except we are more cruel to eac other.

Chris

[Papaya]

Yes, that is the truth!

[Dave Brown]

Lol
Recently saw a swan trying to chase a baby elephant out of a zoo bathing pool
Very aggressive birds

[Chris Shaw]

Now that is something. A swan chasing a baby elephant. Those swans are so fast. Thank you for appreciating the humour in this piece. It tickled me anyway.

Chris