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At the Water Hole

at the water hole 
a sleeping lion awakes  ~
gazelles raise their heads





For best haiku old or new poetry contest

Sponsored By Chantelle Ann Cook. 


Written 24th February 2018.

Copyright © Tom Cunningham | Year Posted 2018

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September 9, 2024 at 9:57 PM

I am sure this must be a scene from Africa. I enjoy watching gazelles. They are gentle creatures, but it is fun to watch their sprinter like race when they sense danger. A lion or a tiger is their greatest enemy. A great haiku, dear Tom.

September 9, 2024 at 11:16 PM

Thank you very much Valsa, It's amazing how they sense danger and take flight, love it when the prey escapes, but I suppose all creatures have to hunt to survive. Tom

September 4, 2024 at 9:38 AM

If the lion is hungry, the gazelles better do better than raise their heads. I would not want to be the slowest in the herd. Sometimes I feel sad when I think of things like that in the natural world. Someday when the lion lies down with the lamb, it will be a very harmonious place to live. Thanks for sharing this one with us. Sara K

September 4, 2024 at 9:43 AM

Thank you Sara, I love it when the prey escapes sad many don't, the laws of the food chain and jungle apply, I suppose every Creature has to eat. Tom

April 26, 2020 at 7:40 PM

Love the image, Tom, of tranquility and fear :) congratulations on your win. Hugs Eve

Charlie Knowlton

April 26, 2020 at 2:33 PM

Nature on guard…Congrats Tom on an excellent Ku.

April 26, 2020 at 2:35 PM

Thanks very much Charlie. Tom

April 26, 2020 at 1:30 PM

Gazelles in trouble.. Great Haiku..Congrats on your placement Tom..

April 26, 2020 at 2:32 PM

Thank you very much Jenish, my first attempt at writing a haiku. Thanks too for hosting the contest. Tom.

August 10, 2018 at 1:19 PM

A beautiful well-written haiku! Ennoyed.

August 10, 2018 at 2:57 PM

Thank you Susan, I got the inspiration from wildlife on TV. Tom

Gregory Richard Barden

August 9, 2018 at 9:15 PM

Best wishes and congrats for your win in Brian's contest, Sir Tom - great stuff! Keep up the wonderful work, my friend! :-)

August 10, 2018 at 1:03 AM

Thank you for your good wishes Gregory, my first attempt at writing a haiku, they fascinate me. Tom

August 6, 2018 at 3:44 PM

A lot of imagery and thought in so few words, Tom. I watch a lot of Nat Geo Wild on TV Congratulations on your First Place win. Sandra

August 6, 2018 at 4:35 PM

Thank you Sandra, those programs are awesome to see, I know its the food chain etc but I love it when the hunted escape from the predators'. Tom

August 6, 2018 at 3:21 PM

Awesome imagery, Tom. Congrats on your gold medal win.

August 6, 2018 at 4:31 PM

Thank you Line, it was my first attempt at writing a haiku. Tom

April 11, 2018 at 2:34 PM

Great memories of my trip to Kenya!

April 11, 2018 at 2:42 PM

Thank you Lisa, yes Kenya is a wonderful place, lovely friendly people too. Tom

Andrea Dietrich

February 25, 2018 at 5:31 PM

ah, yes and we KNOW what is coming! Nice one.

February 25, 2018 at 5:42 PM

Thanks Andrea, Yes, run for your lives.

February 25, 2018 at 4:24 PM

Indeed they do.. Great haiku Tom..

February 25, 2018 at 5:22 PM

Thanks S.O., I love watching wildlife programs' and got the idea from that.I do love doing stories with rhyme but thought I'd have a go at something else. Tom

February 25, 2018 at 11:16 AM

Another great haiku, Tom. Beautiful imagery in few words. Wish I could be there to view it.

February 25, 2018 at 1:26 PM

Thanks Rhoda, a scene I've seen many times on wildlife program's. Tom

Deborah Guenther Beachboard

February 24, 2018 at 10:30 PM

This has the elements one looks for in haiku: a moment in nature with a last line from which the reader infers the danger.

February 25, 2018 at 3:40 AM

Thank you for your comments Deborah. Tom

February 24, 2018 at 5:10 PM

A senryu comment......... your first attempt... your talent you have shown... a master poet...

February 24, 2018 at 9:32 PM

Haha Thanks Mick, early days though. Tom

Constance La France

February 24, 2018 at 2:53 PM

Tom, this is so visual, I was there in the moment, excellent haiku ~

February 24, 2018 at 4:03 PM

Thank you B.W., My first attempt at Haiku and so glad you saw the image too. Tom

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