Vultures

(how the vulnerable are preyed on)

if these be friends

then rather none

she fails to see

what they have done

while she accepts

their company

oblivious to all their greed

oblivious to treachery

it's loving friendship 

that she needs

like hungry vultures

they descend

to pick the bones

of all the worthless

little bits of

so called treasure

that she owns

to pick her clean

they hide deceit

her trust lies trampled

at their feet

conniving souls

they have no shame

their morals

sadly down the drain

an open book

she trusts them all

too blind she is

she does not see

they court her

yes indeed they do

they love her

vulnerability

Reviews

[Ruth Martz]

Vultures. I love them. They preform useful tasks. In Tibet, sky burials are the way they deal with the dead.
At first it seemed alarming but later I got used to thinking about it. The final phase of the burial is the vultures. They are extremely big! Great poem.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Ruth. I am still trying to get my head round the fact that vultures can have a positive press. Thanks for telling me about sky burials. I think though, it's not on my funeral wishes :)

Chris

[Ruth Martz]

They are very clean birds. Skye burials are against the law in the states. I hope you are having a great day.

[Chris Shaw]

I am thank you. Have a great day yourself:)

[Fran Marie]

Poignant piece on today's
society there's not much
compassion these days a so
it seems..a dog eat dog world
as I see it not trustworthy..
I like the smooth flowing rhyme
and these lines.
conniving souls
they have no shame
their morals
sadly down the drain
Sums it up nicely

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Fran. I appreciate your thoughtful review. All good wishes.

Chris

[andrew mitchell]

Sadly it’s whatever comes easy when it comes to robbery and sadly the penalties are equally light. Morals and integrity are sadly lacking today.

[Chris Shaw]

So agree with you Andrew. Find it really sad. Thanks for stopping by.

Chris

[Carola]

hi chris, a very true poem ideed.
i dislike narcissistic people always using other people & never giving back.
cheerio carola

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Carola. Lot of them about these days. We need to protect the vulnerable more and punish the perpetrators more harshly. Pleased you checked in. Hope all is good with you.

Chris

[Lilac Lilies]

I love it, it's really good, the girl is blind to her toxic friends who manipulate and consuming her life like vultures, they really do love her
vulnerability

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Lilac Lilies (such a lovely name). I appreciate your visit and your thoughts.

read moreThank you Lilac Lilies (such a lovely name). I appreciate your visit and your thoughts.

Chris

[Fabian G. Franklin]

This is a very well-crafted and thought provoking piece. Its subject matter is outrageous but the poem itself is elegant. Your descriptions are strong and the stilted rhyme scheme works admirably. My dad used to say there are two kinds of people, takers and givers and I've found that to be mostly true. A good strong write here. F.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Fabian for your encouragement. Your Dad was dead right. There are givers and takers. Sadly the takers seem to be on the increase. Have a good weekend.

Chris

[Shannon O'Gara]

A very true portrayal of how if we are not careful about who we surround ourselves with, and see them for who they are, we may end up becoming prey to scheming, ill-intentioned individuals pretending to be on our side. The world will always have such people, but thank goodness not everyone is like this :) A warning that being good, kind, generous and welcoming does not mean turning a blind eye to those who take advantage of others' goodness for their own selfish gains. Thank you for sharing Chris

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Shannon for your considered and wise thoughts. Pleased to have you stop by. All the best.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

predators will sense it no doubt about it .. we can be terribly cruel .. there is darkness .. some have found no defense against it .. some turn to it and the corruption of a soul is guaranteed ... i think there is a point of no returning from it .. pity we think we can toy with such things .. join in bullying .. take pleasure in pain inflicted ... :( Chris Shaw :(((
E.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Mr E. I have to say this sort of behaviour makes my blood boil, and it is on the increase. There are some ruthless operators about. It is pitiful to see. Hope all is OK with you. Good to have you stop by.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

bullying is something that can be stopped ... ;) thank you so much for your well wishes .. and i triple them back at ya! ;)

[Robert Haigh]

A sad but true situation for many. Such people who prey on the vulnerable seem to be growing in number in recent years. They clearly have no conscience at all! A compassionate and sensitive topical poem, Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Robert for sharing your thoughts. Yes this behaviour is on the increase and is despicable. Some have no moral backbone at all.

Chris

[lightsong]

Good Morning dear Elegance 💗☕

First I hope this isn't inspired from a certain experience You had. What You expressed here is not something normal of being used that we with good hearrts might experience in our life, this is a sick situation that needs to be fixed and healed from the victim herself. No matter how evil people are, when we allow them to go that extent with us, it means we accept it, we need it, it means there something inside us that's unfulfilled and needs a healing. Of course when bad people see such an easy traget, they enjoy playing their games. Unfortunate and sad how humans can't be simply kind.

May your days be as kind, gentle and beautiful as You~

Sending so much love across my Coffee's Scent ☕🖤

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you lovely Lightsong. You are so right, it is she that needs to learn and understand that not everyone is a friend. We live in a sad world where there are too many takers. Thank you for your love and good wishes. Sending the same to you across the ocean waves.

Chris

[lightsong]

Sending You bright dreamy wishes within the sparkling waves of stardust, across the stillness of my skynight✨✨✨

[Chris Shaw]

How beautifully you express yourself dear one. Dream lovely dreams :)

[lightsong]

😴💤✨🤗💗💗💗

[Temperance]

Oh....there are many selfish, conniving people out there whose only goal is to take advantage of others. You've captured this quite well in this piece. It so saddens me that these types exists and, that they prey usually on lonely ladies. Good write, Ms. Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Temp. Yes, she is lonely so she accepts their company thinking they are her friends. Really appreciate your thoughts. Have a good weekend.

Chris