Serpent and the Eagle
Fugitive serpent
stormy swathe of hot desert air
disturbed by wings beating
shifting the scales
taken by surprise
grasped insitu
clasped in talon
raptor attack
moral supremacy
in the eye of an eagle
serpent is elevated
in death.
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Note: Graham Nunn wrote a poem about an eagle, and yesterday I saw an eagle in the skies with a snake dangling from it’s grasp, and then I ponderated, and then Gaddafi got killed and then this poem popped out.
Gabe Feathers McGee 
Great topical reference, Gabrielle.
My puppy caught scent of a lizard on a log this morning. It (the lizard) looked very dignified until I allowed the pup to set it running …
dignity: superiority
camouflaged reptile: raptor’s eye
the puppy’s nose
What set the serpent running in the desert?
haha – thanks j dub – a disgruntled populace always gets the snakes running from the undergrowth (that 1 percent better watch out 😉 ). Thanks for stopping by and commenting 🙂
I like the fact that the poem works both literally and as a comment on current affairs, excellent
Thanks Crafty Geen Poet – initially I was working it as a descriptive/literal poem about the snake in the eagles talons (as that is what I saw on my way to school) and then I was reading some stuff about the symbolism of eagles and snakes and the Gaddafi stuff seem to fit really well.
I love this poem, Gabe, from ALL points of view, lol! Gorgeous and the last two lines are brilliant!
thanks adeeyoyo – I think he probably will be elevated to martyr by some sections of the population of Libya because of his violent death after capture.
Very interesting how this came about.Liked much
thanks jsirrah – and thanks for stopping by 🙂
what a wild day in history yesterday was… amazing how you have tapped into theses global events via an image of natural beauty. thanks also for the link Gabe!
You’re welcome Graham – it was a strange day in history – it freaks me out a little that video of his death (and other deaths) can go viral on the internet – it’s like a public adoration of the snuff movie – horrible stuff; and today they are all lining up to see his frozen body – argh – bit like when people used to flock to see public hangings!
Only time will tell…if the talons were that of a moral eagle or a desert buzzard using the serpent as bait.
haha – I pretty sure morality didn’t enter the picture slpmartin and you are right, that only time will tell what sort of eagle we really have in the picture
lots of tense language in a short space, rather like the way an eagle takes its prey!
thanks Aletha – I was just thinking about that this morning – whether my form was significant (you think I would have thought about it before I wrote the thing – haha – maybe I did, again subconsciously) and that it was a bit like the quick attack of the eagle, so was ok.
The double-meaning works splendidly in this poem – “moral supremacy in the eye of the eagle” and “elevated in death”, in particular
thanks bluebee – I love a double meaning – the ‘shifting the scales’ was also a play on the snake scales versus the scales of justice – but not sure if that really works (but lots of fun anyhow)
It certainly works well on a number of levels but the Gaddafi reference comes through very strongly exactly as Bluebee said. Very powerful, very topical. I really like the image ‘clasped in talon’ conjures up. Excellent!
Thanks Selma – I know he was a horrible person but having him killed like that was also horrible – I always thought he would go into exile (he did have plenty of opportunities to do just that – but it would seem he was too proud and stubborn).
You’re on fire Gabrielle. Great poem.
Thanks Brad 🙂
While I am getting caught up on your blog, I came back to read this one again, too. Really amazing sounds and poetic imagery.
Thanks Aletha 🙂