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Give Us This Day
by Kristina Woodhill
when
the blood finally dried
smeared five feet
five feet, stomach plucked
to rot
along hard gray path
from the point of gifting
from the old black cat
still jawing a grip
a gopher should fear
when
viewing his kill
from the white paint railing
wood chipped by wind
pitted dance floor of rains
cat sits calm
collecting
expecting
hard won kudos
takes not one bite
though deep neck marks are clear
when
magpies preach
dressed for communion
first drag and then peck
beak in and then drag
scavengers' mentors
teachable moments
in organs chosen first
always an eye to the wide, wild world,
retreat in an instant, safe fear
when
an interval breathed
in air from the wings
of a curious hawk
launched from limbs
bending bare, buds numb
hawk eye to a fresh cause
seeking out the pulse
of this latest in a long line
of a nose sniffing far
when it should have sniffed near
when
all had transpired
the only ones
concerned about
smears and such
who ate how
and such
who killed
who and such
were the housed-in
humans, carefully clothed
peering through their glazing
at death's one way mirror
02/23/2014
Author's Note: First gopher of the season. Thank you, cat.
Posted on 02/23/2014
Copyright © 2024 Kristina Woodhill
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Don Matley on 02/24/14 at 02:11 PM What I find fascinating in this poem is "speed". If you read it slowly it almost has no meaning but when read fast images swirl and the key action word race you to a very satisfying conclusion. Wordsmithing at its best. Thanks. And it is fine in the slow lane too, for neanderthals like me. |
| Posted by Quentin S Clingerman on 02/24/14 at 02:53 PM Highlights one of the huge differences between mankind and animals. The title suggesting that God furnishes the "bread" even to the animals. Thought provoking. |
| Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 02/24/14 at 06:43 PM I like the syntax groove you've got going on here Kris. Very clever writing. Poor gopher. Never saw them as pests, but I guess any rodent can be. The squirrels can be a real nuisance up around these parts. |
| Posted by Amos Last on 02/24/14 at 11:01 PM when ...
brings back memories of cat trophies Br>
brought in through the cat door
laid to rest in places of honour
once a hawk, presumably victim of a window
now that was a proud day for max and lulu!
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| Posted by Laura Doom on 02/25/14 at 11:00 AM A mirror reflecting our need to sanitize and sensationalize--such is life. All the same (by way of contrast) I do get quite emotional when amphibians croak...
Delicious as always |
| Posted by Philip F De Pinto on 02/26/14 at 01:50 PM I feel bad for both predator and prey, and everything that is struggling to exist given the circumstances which leave them no choice but to do what is written in the script. And with no viable option in view for any creature, I feel bad for the gopher and the cat and the hawk and the magpie and for all of us, and especially the poet in us who must mull it all and write it down, for our swift absorption, oft with a tear in the eye, which this has brought to me. Such is life no doubt, that this is the way it should be, lest we permit ourselves a veering from the morn or other improvisational course. This said, the poet in you Kristina has rendered unto our plate another beautiful ode. A fave. |
| Posted by Jim Benz on 02/26/14 at 08:25 PM I saw a headline in my local paper yesterday that made me think of your poem: "Gophers commit to Kill and protect themseves". Of course it's about a football team and a nw contract for their coach (Jerry Kill) but still, it made me laugh. Anyway, I like your poem, Kristina. Apparrently it stuck with me ;) |
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