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Death in the Desert

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Sara's 'Snakes, Scorpions and Owls Contest

April 5, 2025

Listen for the rustling sound of the beady-eyed belly crawlers deceitful serpents slithering on the ground, flicking a two-forked tongue and hissing. They should be heeded as a dire warning when tempting us as if to say, "Ssssssss..." they whisper, "Come hither." Through tall meadow grasses and across lawns and garden soils they leave a trail of body wriggles as rippled footprints. Lying quietly in wait until we're near to take a bite when startled. They inflict pain... physical and if a creature of duplicity, like Satan, known for his trickery, being bitten will have a different connotation They can be found sidewinding across desert sands seeking shade. But warm sands hold another who commands... the scorpion who claims the desolate land as its home and is not willing to share. The stinging tail of a crawling eight-legged one is a weapon the serpent must consider. Cleverly it lurks in treacherous shadowy places trying to avoid the wrath of the desert Kahn. The serpent and the scorpion, reptile and deathstalker dancing together until it ends in an embrace but not one of sweet surrender They race to combat, a battle to choose a winner, Venom from a stinging tail and a stabbing bite One the victor, the other a feast called dinner But beneath the moon's golden glow, carefully perched atop a saguaro Is the sage one who boldly watches, biding time with its keen eyes. An owl lets the stinger and hisser fight until the flap of its widespread wings indicates his hunger has waited long enough to be sated... something both should dread. Take flight great owl, when day gives way to night Good hunting to you as you choose your prey Dive with pinioned wings and your fearful screech Pointed beak at the ready to pluck on the flesh Will your choice be serpent or scorpion, the feast you dine upon tonight?

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Susan Ashley

Date: 4/13/2025 9:07:00 AM

Dear Lin, your use of dark, vibrant imagery brings Sara's contest prompt to life.. and death.. in the desert scene. I enjoyed the desert combatants being addressed as "the stinger and the hisser" - very creative! A captivating piece. The wise owl comes out on top as he should. Congratulations for your success in Sara's contest. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Lin Lane
Date: 4/14/2025 10:31:00 AM

Hi Susan and thank you ever so much for your gracious comments. I'd prefer not dealing with any of them, but they're here and so are we.

Sara Jama

Date: 4/10/2025 8:57:00 AM

Congratulations on your placement in my contest. I really enjoyed the imagery you used to describe the power struggle between the serpent and scorpion. "wrath of the desert Kahn," is my favourite line. I love it so much. I also love the twist where the predator becomes the prey at the end

Lin Lane
Date: 4/10/2025 9:58:00 AM

Hi Sara and thank you ever so much for recognizing my entry among those on your winning list. It was great fun to write for the theme. I appreciate your letting me know something you particularly found to your liking.

Ink Empress

Date: 4/10/2025 8:07:00 AM

Dear linnersz, I am speechless, and impressed by how you can pull of any theme and create such brilliant metaphors, painting imagery so vividly while doing storytelling so poetically. How youv started the poem gives a very strong voice and your flow of words here truly is seamless and this definitely is a very powerful poem! One that is unbeatable and unmatched , especially love "The serpent and the scorpion, reptile and deathstalker dancing together until it ends in an embrace" theres something also very lyrical about the way youv woven words! Its an impeccable write! Cant praise enough! Congratulations on your top win! Sending you light always

Lin Lane
Date: 4/10/2025 9:56:00 AM

Well, let me address what you wrote about being unbeatable and unmatched, since your entry was awarded 1st place and mine, 2nd. LOL Ink, you know I write for the challenge of competition and winning, while it has its moment of sunshine is not as important to me as taking part in writing to support PS sponsors. Congrats to you, and if I haven't already read your poem (think I have) I will certainly be there to praise your lines... maybe half as much as you did mine just cause you're better at it. Seriously, thank you for being such a personable poetry friend.

Anonomus Scorpio

Date: 4/10/2025 7:09:00 AM

Its hard not to enjoy the story, of how two foes bacame one meal. For a wiley old bird. Congratulations Lin! Finest Regards A.S.

Lin Lane
Date: 4/10/2025 7:51:00 AM

Thank you very much for enjoying this desert tale, A.S.

Terry Miller

Date: 4/10/2025 6:32:00 AM

What a wonderful story you have penned here Lin, and so eloquently, congratulations

Lin Lane
Date: 4/10/2025 6:59:00 AM

Your remarks are most welcome, Terry. Thanks!

Duke Beaufort

Date: 4/9/2025 11:32:00 AM

Lin, there's always another predator to take advantage. It's part of the web of life and nature's recycling plan. I suppose that in prehistoric times we might have been eaten by a saber tooth tiger too. There are also bacteria and viruses that can get us. It's quite an ongoing battle. It's interesting to try to understand evolution as perhaps it explains some of the animalistic behavior we've seen lately. Be safe and unbitten!!

Lin Lane
Date: 4/9/2025 12:13:00 PM

I intend to stay both safe and unbitten! No wooly mammoth, scorpion or snake in the grass slithering up to me. You're definitely right about the things that can harm and/or kill us. Even a germ has had devastating effects of deaths through pandemics.

Joe Dimino

Date: 4/6/2025 6:48:00 PM

Yep, the dessert is a marvelous place. Have done a lot of walking and some horseback riding through the desert. Have seen rattlers, thank God have not been bitten by one. Have been bitten by scorpions on occasion. Not nice. A wild tale you have penned here, Lin; enjoyed the read very much. Worked in a Cowboy bar years ago, out in the desert. A big Bull-snake lived under the floorboards in one of the outdoor bars where I worked. It was a great hangout for both tourists and locals. The Bull-snake actually kept the rattlers away. Fun memories.

Joe Dimino
Date: 4/7/2025 8:47:00 AM

Ah, right! Maybe was a king snake. Many years ago. Again, a very exciting enjoyable read. Have a great writing day!

Lin Lane
Date: 4/7/2025 3:01:00 AM

That's a lot of interesting things you've done, Joe. Thanks for sharing those memories. I remember the pretty black and white King snakes that were around in my earlier years that was a sign that venomous snakes weren't near. Thanks~

Tom Cunningham

Date: 4/5/2025 8:13:00 AM

You've gone all out with this one Lin, I remember when I was in Kenya at a lodge and was sitting outside listening to the sounds of the animals, my daughter came out and said "Dad, there's a black crab by your foot" you never saw me move so fast lol. Tom

Lin Lane
Date: 4/7/2025 2:59:00 AM

The choice was to use one or more, so I went for more since I saw a relationship between them. Thanks, Tom, and that must've been a scary moment. Years ago, several of us were fishing on a canal bank and my brother said, "Don't move, there's a water moccasin about to crawl over your foot." I couldn't move as you did.

Mike Gentile

Date: 4/5/2025 5:57:00 AM

Lin, this write is chilling and the imagery you've created tingles my spine! I am terrified of both! I've only once encountered a scorpion and never a venomous serpent and I wish to keep it that way! City boy here! Happy Saturday xxoo

Lin Lane
Date: 4/5/2025 6:09:00 AM

Morning, Mike. I actually think snakes are beautiful but the poisonous ones can stay away. I haven’t seen scorpions here but was very careful of black widows when I lived in Colorado. Country girl here. ;-). Thanks!