Vultures

(how the vulnerable are preyed on)

if these be friends

then rather none

she fails to see

what they have done

while she accepts

their company

oblivious to all their greed

oblivious to treachery

it's loving friendship 

that she needs

like hungry vultures

they descend

to pick the bones

of all the worthless

little bits of

so called treasure

that she owns

to pick her clean

they hide deceit

her trust lies trampled

at their feet

conniving souls

they have no shame

their morals

sadly down the drain

an open book

she trusts them all

too blind she is

she does not see

they court her

yes indeed they do

they love her

vulnerability

Reviews

[Ruth Martz]

Vultures. I love them. They preform useful tasks. In Tibet, sky burials are the way they deal with the dead.
At first it seemed alarming but later I got used to thinking about it. The final phase of the burial is the vultures. They are extremely big! Great poem.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Ruth. I am still trying to get my head round the fact that vultures can have a positive press. Thanks for telling me about sky burials. I think though, it's not on my funeral wishes :)

Chris

[Ruth Martz]

They are very clean birds. Skye burials are against the law in the states. I hope you are having a great day.

[Chris Shaw]

I am thank you. Have a great day yourself:)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

well, I know the "she" here....and it is so unfortunate that people are like this and prey on the vulnerable...have to wonder if they have any conscience at all.

really strong piece.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks dear J. You do indeed know of her. We have spoken about her many times. Some people sadly have no moral compass at all. They are out for easy pickings. Always appreciate your support for my efforts my friend.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

Has the sound of someone needy and trusting, perhaps a lonely senior, who is being victimized by scam artists. Such people are like sharks who smell blood in the water.

[Chris Shaw]

There's plenty of it going on John and it isn't always seniors who become the victims. Appreciate you checking in. Have a good weekend.

Chris

[Patricia]

this is very sad. it's a difficult, we preach kindness and kindness will be returned but that does not seem to be the norm anymore. the most vulnerable are the elderly and children and we have to teach them awareness and this is not so easy. Things have really changed since I was a kid, we were able to sleep with our doors open and windows open, I wouldn't do that now. You could help a friend out by letting them stay and they would leave when back on their feet but now people take advantage of you and you need a court order to get them out so you don't help people out in that way. It's crazy, the world is crazy, people are crazy. I used to accept people at face value but I have learned distrust before trust....that makes me feel bad about myself, I feel likes it's a fault and it is just safety. I don't like it but there it is. I think this is a very good write, brings conversation, an awareness and self awareness. Well done Chris. Love P.

[Chris Shaw]

You are so right Patricia. Things have changed a great deal over the years. I remember too when everyone left their front door open. No one would dream of taking something which wasn't theirs. These days the vulnerable are easy prey and it sickens me that there are so many with no moral compass. Yes we have to be careful who we place our trust in. Sending love across the waves. Have a happy weekend.

Chris

[Patricia]

Love to you Chris! Have a wonderful weekend yourself!

[Poetic Phlox]

It is truly a shame for friendships to take a turn for oblivion. Concealing their motives with charm and false hope. I respect the symbolism and realism in your poem.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your review. Pleased you stopped by.

Chrls

[Poetic Phlox]

You're quite welcome, and I appreciate reading your poem. I can honestly relate to treachery and deceit from the ones I held in high regard.
Truly, a great read.

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

Those that are selfish take advantges os hose open hearted people.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks for stopping by Dale. You are appreciated.

Chris

[Neville]

sadly THEY have elevated it to something far beyond a science .. I am aware this kind of thing is happening all the time & believe we see only the very tip of a huge iceberg .. I am a firm believer in karma though.

Neville

[Chris Shaw]

I think you are right Neville. This sort of activity is going on everywhere. We get a huge number of scam phone calls ourselves. It worries me how people who have disabilities or are very elderly can remain safe. It's despicable behaviour and I too believe in karma. Thanks for stopping by.

Chris

[Aura]

It hurts when the vulnerable and innocent are used, and preyed upon. We have evil people in the world, and too many times we hear people say they care about us, when really they dont. Theyd rather see us suffer, which is unfortunate because while they view you as an accessory, you view as a good relatable friend. I guess thats why we cant trust too easily, even the ones we love and are closest too, we cant trust easily either.

[Chris Shaw]

A sad reflection on where we find ourselves these days. Sadly many of these cockroaches get away with it. No moral fibre at all. Thank you Aura, I appreciate your thoughts.

Chris

[Aura]

You are welcome

[R.J Calzonetti (Siniste..]

This is a magnificent poem. Thank you for sharing. I absolutely love it.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Sinister. I appreciate your thoughts and you stopping by.

Chris

[Gee]

I'd put the equity release sharks into this category, they prey on the elderly who seldom understand the finer points of the contract.
Hope you are well Christine, were drowning in Bucks :))

[Chris Shaw]

Yes they are as bad, as are some of the cold callers on the phone. Thank you Gee.. We still have sunshine here, so sorry to hear you are all drowning in MK. Good for the garden though. Enjoy the rest of the evening.

Chris

[Dave Brown]

you seem to be lamenting how a friend (?) is being taken advantage of.
Self-centered greed, another of mankind's little flaws, much too often demonstrated.
I would say it is a person who wants to be everybody's friend and unfortunately, has that admirable aspect of her personality working against (her?)

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Dave for your thoughts. In this case the vultures have milked her bank account, stolen items from her home, taken her bank card and stolen her keys so the locks had to be replaced on her front door. Not nice people. A definite case of the vulnerable being preyed on sadly. Hope you are having a nice sunny Wednesday.Glorious here.

Chris

[Dave Brown]

That is terrible
hope they were apprehended
that somewhat happened to my Mother after my Father passed away
If I'd known he would have been one unhappy person

[Chris Shaw]

Sorry to hear your own mum had similar. Not a pleasant experience Dave.

Chris