Pack animals
pick their patriarch
from those that show empathy
for the offspring of others
This hierarchy of dominance
is not based in force
A cadre of cohorts
fill my lungs and
file the ranks
Anarchy our ancestry
Legion our numbers
Alpha our analog
Reflecting strength
in the eyes of even
the weakest here
Consider what's taken from
them stolen from me
Know the pain you make
for one suffers us all
Believe in redemption
long enough
for agony to live
and lose hope
Plead as time allows
and pulse permits
Paint for your maker
A crimson masterpiece
Framed by the
perfect circle
of a pack at feast
Comments
A true leader
Desires not power but global well being. They understand the needs of others and consider that an extension of their own. I’m sure physical strength is a factor however nobody likes a bully and so we choose leaders who reflect aspects of ourselves that are personified stronger in others.
I live in the woods. The coyotes and coydogs are all around. I hear them when they make a kill. It’s a cacophony.
Tim
Cacophony
I love that word and you've used it aptly here. Reading your words I could hear and remember those same sounds. Mine come from the forest dwellers where I live here in the mountains of Northern New Mexico. Coyotes mountain lions and bear all around. You are absolutely right about power and bully's..man I've always hated bullys. It's only as I get older I realize most of their behavior comes from a place of suffering or insecurity/ It is a difficult test in life to include them in the group as I think a true leader would do. None can be excluded as practitioners of metta meditation say. I try to remember that. Thank you so much for reading and reminding me of the symphony that is sometimes just out my window too.
dear IO
this extension into the wild's of yourself is quite impressive!
*hugs, Cat
thank you
You are kind to say. This one sticks out among my other pieces. It is different, but I love the exhilarating feeling that can be summoned from within when you know without a doubt you are in your tribe and provided for and protected and the rush that comes from knowing you would do anything to give that same feeling back to every one of them. As a somewhat introverted shut it, I don't get to feel that often, but I have and I tried to capture that here. Thank you so much for reading.
Very nice poem…
I would add, for accuricy, that Most pack animals are matriarchal., not patriarchal.
I like this piece…. A lot.
Ray
Dammit!
Now I wanna go back and do one of these: patriarch --> matriarch. Then it would be a showdown between the value had in the alliterative effect as it stands now or in the more poignant and accurate matriarch description. Likely the latter would win out. Thank you so much for the observation and for reading. I had to smile at this one. Wish I had thought of it.
Best,
IO