Wolfen Hierarchy

the alpha gets the liver

the beta dies abused

the clever culls the herd

the stupid starve and yearn

selected sometimes lucky

but mostly, it's in the blood

as the stupid starve and yearn

while the alpha gets the liver

and the beta dies abused

raw nature remains unkind

while the clever inherit the earth

Author's Note

Reviews

[R.E. Ray]

Like most other poems from you, I read this one and simply thought "truth." I must say, as another reviewer, mentioned, I despise liver. I suppose it's the price one might need to pay for leading the pack, and that's the flip side of this truth. Being the alpha is as much, if not more, a burden than a blessing. Another good short write. I like this work from you.

[Davidgeo]

Thanks bobby ray.

If you ever find yourself on the brink of dehydration with a dead animal in front of you... you will drink the blood and find certain internal organs (especially the liver) irresistible.

It's been documented in nature, the liver is basically filet mignon to wolves. Also, if you read about people stranded at sea for long periods of time they always talk about eating certain organs, especially the liver... I guess when on the brink of death by starvation/dehydration sucking the blood out a fish's liver is one of the first thing an animal will do when presented with caught prey.

[Nipplegrinder]

Nicely scribed. Lots of truth.

[Davidgeo]

Dogs don't lie. (very well anyway)

[AYVID N]

Liver to me tastes gross. Try some kidney. Its much tastier.

Humor apart, this poem underlines a very sobering fact, with Nature, its such a close call, its almost chilling. Had I written this poem I may have included alpha and beta in the feasting group. (There are a few more levels of intelligence below that) So an eye-opener for sure.

[Davidgeo]

It's actually an observed trait most wolf packs have when they feed. The dominant animal is the only one that is allowed to eat the liver as it is the most nutritious part of a fresh kill.

[User]

“While the clever inherit the earth” love this last line and love that you stay clear of cliche in all of your writing.

[Davidgeo]

Thanks dotty... that's high praise.

[H L Rose]

A wolf hierarchy is a good idea to get inspiration from, and with the way you describe it, it relates well to other things. I like te last sentence “while the clever inherit the earth”.

I enjoyed the read

[Davidgeo]

Thanks. It makes me happy you enjoyed it.

[KWP]

And the Omega is just chillin' with the tribesmen in Northern Thailand smoking a long pipe whilst already in the lie down position. Inside the pipe, decent amounts of opium to add to his already laid back demeanour :)

Clever words here - I like it - made me smile at the bare faced truths X

[Davidgeo]

It's a real thing observed in nature... the alpha wolf always eats the liver of whatever the pack killed.

Opium is not the best thing to be smoking... to many nasty side effect. Hit a bong load of fine marijuana instead.

It's nice to "see" you again here... it has been a relative while

[KWP]

Ya I know I have been meaning to drop by ... I smoked opium with ‘Mr Moon’ in the Golden Triangle ... I was lucky because females smoking is frowned upon. They must have liked me. Such a mellow feeling - it was the perfect cure to the Sangtip whiskey the night before - ugh!

The following day was spent mashing Panadol with opium to chew on - then I captained my own bamboo raft. What else was had won’t be mention as I feel WC is still a bit too tame - but all in the experience of life hey :-)

[KWP]

I must sit my a*s down and write ... it’s there, just waiting to surface.

Always good to ‘hang out’ with you X

[Davidgeo]

Ha... I think I would enjoy myself if I ever joined you on one of those journeys'.

[KWP]

TOO much trouble and fun x

[Amy]

I like the poem. It shows a great example of what you need to do to surivive.

[Cherrie Palmer]

I like to be in charge but man I hate liver.

[Davidgeo]

Ha, I second that, liver isn't very tasty to me either. That's actually a real thing among most wolf packs. The alpha male always gets to eat the liver. Delicious and nutritious...yum yum.

[sette]

it always has been like that, hierarchy of all living things except plants maybe.

[Karen Redburn]

This is harsh, but naturally true for wildlife. You have left me reminded of this truth.

[Davidgeo]

It's nice to be cultured wildlife as we are. I'm not too sure I'd make it as a wolf or any other kind of wild animal for that matter.

Thanks for reading and stuff. I do appreciate it.

[Karen Redburn]

Most welcome :) I like the way you write.