Beware the beast !

It's a jungle out there folks.....be careful !

Shun the tiger, silent and stealth
searching for its quarry,
stay indoors and mind your health
or you'll be very sorry!

Don't dip your toes, in the water cool
where the crocodile patiently waits,
for you will look a silly fool
if swallowed whole, in front of all your mates!

Be watchful of prowling wolf
when walking through a leafy wood,
run away, should you hear its ghastly howl
don't be naive, like little red riding hood!

Heed the hyena's mocking laugh
hungry for meat, red and raw,
let not yourself be chewed in half
by its powerful, bone crushing jaw!

Avoid the snake in the grass
hiding out of sight,
keep on the path, don't trespass
or you'll receive a poisonous bite!

If playing the fine, colonial game
in land of mahout and elephant,
guard against the mosquito's toxic aim
and rebuff it with repellant!

Step over the ant, small and placid
is my solemn decree,
for it is armed with formic acid
just like a million brothers,
from the colony!

And beware the beast, trust the least,
a bloodthirsty creature, known as Man,
no lethal jaws, rasping claws, poisonous bite, nor acidic might..
But he may kill you...just because he Can?

Reviews

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Wonderful and wise poem! Childrens’ parable and adults’ admonition to recognize hidden dangers and beware. Love the animal verses! Great language, form, flow, cadence and imagery. Last verse is so relevant now-how lethal man is “just because he can”. Important poem and lesson. Thank you Tom.

[Tom]

Yes, sadly still rings true, Man, always the aggressor!

Thank you Annette for stopping by my friend!

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

You are so welcome Tom-a joy to read this!:)

[Beccy]

As you say, 'just because he can.' Proving beyond doubt that mankind truly is the deadliest hunter of them all.

Beccy.

[Tom]

Thank you Beccy for your welcome critique!

[DIVYA]

You summed it up so well. Man has no claws or sharp teeth but he's still the deadliest of the lot. A very interesting poem. I really appreciate the rhyme.

[Tom]

Thank you DIVYA !

[MsJewel]

I love your use of metaphor in this well written poem. You have shared a wonderful message here - comparing man to animals in our behavior.
Always a delight to read your words.

:) Julie

[Tom]

Thank you Julie & indeed, animals attack to defend or satisfy their hunger, man attacks ? Well you know the answer !

[Robbie~xoxo~]

Rawrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!

I LOVE THIS!...(nice flow and rhyme)

"And beware the beast, trust the least
a bloodthirsty creature, known as man,
no rasping claws, fearsome jaws,
venomous, contagious bite, nor acidic might
but he may kill you...Just because he can!"~ This write has teeth!...

Clevely penned, Sir Tom!~xoxo~:)

[Tom]

Thank you Robbie, well you know what they say, ' great minds think alike ' !

[Robbie~xoxo~]

I'm honored!... (((hugs)))~xoxo~:)

[Sophy Freebirds]

Well i loved the whole concept of it.Brilliant!! The wild animals symbolizing the deceptive traits of men.I liked the defiant metaphor of little red riding hood. The message of the poem is crisp clear.Yea,beware or you will be doomed by an animal called man.Sorry i may sound traitorous.. ;) ha. Very insightful poem."just because you can doesn't mean you should"

~Sophy

[Tom]

Thanks once more Sophy for your perceptive analysis !

[Sophy Freebirds]

De nada Tom. :)

[Will Neill]

We are very much like animals in our behaviour, you have captured this well in your verses.
A very good read.
Will

[Tom]

Thank you kindly Will !

[Marie]

An excellent reason for living in the city as I do. Although by Lydia Shutter's reasoning, I'm not save here either...

[Tom]

Thank you Marie & take care, no matter wherever you are!

[magenta24uk]

I love this. I love the ending, to kill because we can. Man may never learn. Sad but very, very true. Excellent stuff.

[Tom]

Thank you magenta24uk & sadly, yes you're correct, man just does's err from his wicked ways!

[Neville]

Owzatt....

Terrific Tom & only the merest mention of you know what. You certainly brought a smile to my face this morning...Cheers, Neville

[Tom]

Thanks Neville, glad to see you've recognised my all round potential!! Lol...

[Neville]

My pleasure entirely my literary Friend, N

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i really like how you creatively used all the animals and insects in this poem...
and the theme...yes, the most dangerous creature is man...other animals fight or kill for survival..
but man will kill just because he can...as in what happen with the Malaysia airline shot down.

just because he could ...
damn cruel world. and no one is to blame but us.

[Tom]

Yes indeed Jacob, as I expected, you see where I'm coming from & thanks for you're insightful analysis!