An Old Hyena Stalks the Pack

Lurking in the darkest shadows,
she looks for one of us to hound,
trying to catch a little glimpse
as she staggers along and limps

Spittle and drool keeps dripping
from yellow teeth and snarling lips.
She whines and hunches her back
picking out one of us to attack.

Alone because she's made enemies
of those who once pitied her, but
she never let us howl our intentions
and blocked any effort of intervention.

With watchful eyes she tries to be sly
and has an ego that's rude and annoying.
She's always waiting for the chance
to trounce, then do her trophy dance.

She takes swipes and nips at our butts
when she thinks she has the upper hand,
but her whining doesn't matter to us.
Our pack calls her 'the ornery old cuss.' 

Let her coo and take those falsetto bows,
and let her think she's a ruling queen,
but we all know she's just a looney hyena
while we laugh at her haughty demeanor.

  ^. .^   
1/31/17
Poetry in an animal's view
contest by Jamie
Copyright © | Year Posted 2017

Poem

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Breedt Avatar
February 24, 2017 at 10:55 PM
Hi Marti , well penned and discriptive about the hyena. Yes the queen rules the pack and boy, she is ugly. She symbolizes evil and what a fitting analogy. Some people reflect those traits so well that it makes the hyena look better.
Polydoro Avatar
February 7, 2017 at 5:27 PM
Wow Marti!!! That's an amazing poem... I'm new to Poetry Soup but I met and became friends with many amazing people here... Unfortunatelly I heard about it and saw some of the nasty comments from the Hyena... I'll keep my distance ;) Hugs and good luck on the contest :)
Polydoro Avatar
February 8, 2017 at 4:51 PM
Yeah, she was bitchy and unfair to a good friend of mine and that was it for me... ;) xoxoxo
Vaso Avatar
February 6, 2017 at 6:40 PM
and.... congrats for POTD!!!!! Loved this one!
Vaso Avatar
February 6, 2017 at 6:40 PM
“Hyenas feature prominently in the folklore and mythology of human cultures with which they are sympatric. Hyenas are commonly viewed as frightening and worthy of contempt, and are associated with witchcraft, because their body parts are used as ingredients in traditional medicine. In some cultures, hyenas are thought to influence people’s spirits, rob graves, and steal livestock and children.”
Delaney Avatar
February 4, 2017 at 7:20 AM
I am glad I haven't encountered this hyena, but strangely there IS one in every pack. Congrats on POTD recently A clever write. Wish my Muse would return....I must go and entice her back. SuZ
Allison Avatar
February 5, 2017 at 1:13 PM
I see many struggling at the moment Suz my muse is misbehaving too:-( hugs Jan xx
Y. Avatar
February 3, 2017 at 5:47 AM
Hi Jean, Now this is just lovely and sweet. Congratulations on getting the poem of the day:-) Alexis
Wolf Avatar
February 3, 2017 at 1:24 AM
Cool write, Marti, and congrats for POTD
White Avatar
February 3, 2017 at 12:46 AM
Wow, this is a cool poem, that last stanza! Grats on being PotD, and good luck in the contest :)
Allison Avatar
February 2, 2017 at 5:59 PM
Many congrats on POTD Marti:-) hugs Jan xx
Andresen Avatar
February 2, 2017 at 1:21 PM
- Congratulations on your great p.o.t.d. Marti ... and good luck in the contest - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
Turner Avatar
February 2, 2017 at 8:23 AM
Congratulations, Marti on POTD. A wonderful personification.
U.D Palawon  Avatar
February 2, 2017 at 7:27 AM
Well penned with great humor. I like the underlined meaning. It makes me think of George Orwell's Animal Farm! :D Congrats.
Pigeon Tart Avatar
February 2, 2017 at 6:57 AM
I really liked this poem yesterday; with the comment section on fire I'm loving it today. Congrats on potd!
Smith Avatar
February 2, 2017 at 6:39 AM
Sounds like an old girl friend of mine, congratulations Marti for POTD honors, well done...
Lamoureux Avatar
January 31, 2017 at 10:58 PM
I tend not to get involved in social politics. This is however an interesting perspective. I usually find those who act out are in great need of love and acceptance.
La France Avatar
January 31, 2017 at 3:59 PM
Marti, great poem ,best of luck in the contest, but this a win, winner for me !!!! 7777777
Allison Avatar
January 31, 2017 at 11:54 AM
You have captured this creature's antics perfectly Marti:-) Good luck in the contest:-) hugs Jan xx7
Smith Avatar
January 31, 2017 at 11:38 AM
A terrific poem Marti...Reminds me if a couple people I know
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