Learning The Hard Way

(Tears from a five year old)

A mallard coasted into sight,

a newly hatched in close pursuit.

"How cute", said Beth, as light grew dim,

"They've planned to have an evening swim".

We viewed amused, as they both cruised

on rippled water happily.

The day was done, the last of sun,

no sign of pending gravity.

A sudden splash, quick as a flash,

our tiny duckling dragged below.

A lurking pike, to our dislike

had dealt an unexpected blow.

I can not speak of Beth's dismay

that food chains have to end this way.

Reviews

[SpiritWolf]

It was okay but i don't get how this is learning the hard way

[Chris Shaw]

Little child cooing and ahhing over little duckling, swimming after his mum,duckling gets swallowed whole by a pike lurking in the water. You think the child wouldn't have learned something that day ? Interesting comment SpiritWolf

[SpiritWolf]

thank you! I still don't get how this is learning the hard way

[SpiritWolf]

they would have not learn anything that day.

[Chris Shaw]

They would certainly have learned about food chains, and that ducklings have predators. Have you got any children? Thought not.

[SpiritWolf]

No I do not have any children but I do love kids

[SpiritWolf]

All of my life i had cried
I didn't know what it would be like if i was love
a stranger whom my mother bring home every night would come in my room
I was a scared child not knowing who else would have come in
life was hard as my age yet i hope i wouldn't do the same
I learn the hard way to trust others
i learn the hard way to take care of my child
I won't let anything happen to her as it did to me
I wont let her learn the hard way....

This is a true story of my mother who had learn the hard way of trusting people

[Lorry]

There's nothing sadder than seeing life through a childs eyes and recognising the horror we also felt when learning lifes lessons. Is there a more harrowing sight than the look as realisation dawns, that life can be cruel.
I remember when we were on holiday as kids, I was seven and my sis was four. She spent the entire holiday distraught at learning there were people homeless in the world and sometimes people were horrible to them. She was so upset at seeing a guy being ushed around for the crime of asking for some spare change, that we had to look for him each day and buy him something to eat and drink.
Ive said it before and i'll say it again, put kids in charge. Sometimes it feels like they are the only ones making sense.
Poor girl. Make sure you give her an extra hug from me :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Lorry, yes children do have the capacity to see and say things exactly as they are. Thanks for sharing the story about your sis.Compassionate little thing wasn't she? Old poem Lorry, so if I gave her a hug now, she's probably think I'd lost my marbles. Not into hugs that one, at the moment anyway :)

Chris

[Lorry]

Well it wouldnt stop me, bit my marbles are long beyond dispute :)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

love the way the fifth line ripples like the water with its perfect flow...
nature surely puts on a show for us.

j.

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Jacob, yes nature does indeed put on a show for us. Thanks for checking this one out.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

Poor Beth. Nature can be hard. The sea too. Wonderful tale shared dear Chris.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Coyote. We can learn much from nature which can turn from p***y cat to monster in next to no time.

Chris