Praying Mantis
Oh, praying mantis, there with majesty,
you hold your slender arms so still and sweet,
in prayer like form that somehow makes us see
a kind and gentle species when we greet.
Your odd, triangle face responds your way
by nodding side to side, as if you hear
and grasp the words we speak and so convey-
to be beside you does not carry fear.
But, in the world, you live- yet to survive
another side of you is seen, exists.
A murderer you are- eat your mate live;
your coupling ritual exhibits twists.
Your mate is lucky to have found a chance
to spread his genes, his only goal in life;
to offer up his body in this dance-
a trade-off for his offspring to be rife.
With head gone first, he still completes his act
depositing his precious sperm; when done
you throw him to the ground and after that
soon feed on him to nourish life begun.
Oh, praying mantis, there with majesty
you hold your slender arms as if in prayer.
But looks so often can deceive, you see;
a murderer you are- his fate, unfair.
August 15, 2016
Contest: Insects
Sponsor: Angela Tune
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