Prevalence of Predators

Sharks in the ocean, killer whales -
prevalence of predators in knee deep water,
all because men know better.
They, we - bring disaster to the shore,
to the salty, silty, haven
of children, couples, the old and young.

The fascination of jaws, rows of sharp teeth,
claws at our imaginations; not as lovely
a ride as a dolphin does bring; gladly
gambolling along with a friend.
Sharks bite, out for a midnight snack…
even in the sunny hours.

Back to the salty, silty, haven -
the vacation spot, vacated
or kept on the land, not
wanting to become surf and turf, not
wanting an arm or leg
to be separated in the foam,
in the thrill of the wave.

The wave washes onto the coconut beach.
Ebb and flow of romance.
Dark shadows, inviting
and dangerous. Riveting, breathless -
the tide is precipitous. Washed up,
a half-eaten board. Bored or not,
keep limbs on loungers, toes
out of the sea. Don’t tow the line.

6/14/2023
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

Poem

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Ball Avatar
June 15, 2023 at 8:13 AM
I'm with you Kim. Stay out of the ocean. Maybe I've seen too many shipwreck movies but if God wanted me in the ocean I'd be a mermaid or a fish. Good stuff h3ere with a good and important warning. God Bless, JB
Rodrigues Avatar
June 15, 2023 at 1:56 PM
I love the ocean. Still it is the wild…
DiMino Avatar
June 15, 2023 at 7:35 AM
Excellent read! We eat...and are eaten...what's wrong with this picture? Or right? love it! Magic, thrilling use of language. My wife says, we should stay out of the ocean especially now that we are older, our once rosy exterior looking a lot like the scales of yummy fish.
Rodrigues Avatar
June 15, 2023 at 7:56 AM
LOL to your wife’s comment!! Thank you so much!!
Buhagiar Avatar
June 15, 2023 at 2:46 AM
Your knowledge of marine predators is fantastic. Thank God we only had one shark sixty years ago, May he rest in peace.
Rodrigues Avatar
June 15, 2023 at 7:57 AM
May he rest in peace and not one replace him. Thank you, my friend!
Wolf Avatar
June 14, 2023 at 6:16 PM
Bears and coyotes roaming urban haunts... sharks invading shorelines... Old familiar habitats are morphing into predator playgrounds. A not-so-brave new world...
Rodrigues Avatar
June 14, 2023 at 7:10 PM
That is so true!
Rose  Avatar
June 14, 2023 at 4:14 PM
They are dangerous and they can put a damper on a vacation, best stay away from shark and whales infested waters, nicely penned, Kim, :)
Rodrigues Avatar
June 14, 2023 at 7:10 PM
We must!
Hind Avatar
June 14, 2023 at 2:40 PM
Very 'deep' are those predators in your lines!
Rodrigues Avatar
June 14, 2023 at 3:04 PM
Scary stuff!
Pigeon Tart Avatar
June 14, 2023 at 11:43 AM
Chilling impeccable ink! Excellent piece Kim. Hugs! xomo
Rodrigues Avatar
June 14, 2023 at 1:45 PM
How cool to hear from you! Believe it or not I was just wondering if you’ve written anything lately. Will go check in a bit!
Rodrigues Avatar
June 14, 2023 at 1:10 PM
How cool to hear from you! Believe it or not I was just wondering if you’ve written anything lately. Will go check in a bit!
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