Serpents, Scorpions and Owls

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Written for Sara Jama's contest...

Alas, I was late for the party

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Sunsets in Saharan skies
Every nomad looks and sighs
Reprieved from unrelenting heat
Peruse the sun in its retreat
Every desert roamer knows
Nights with cool sand twixt their toes
Their utmost fear at the oasis?
Serpents lurk in nighttime places

So the creatures of the night
Creatures that emerge and bite
Only fear the bedouin
Replete with pots to cook them in 
Pincers and a stinging tail
Indiana Jones might wail
Only serpents chill him more
Night time creatures by the score
Scurry over moonlit land

And sting the foolish barefoot man
Nomads snare this living lunch
Dine on scorpion crispy crunch

Once scorpions and serpents prowl 
Whence the Pharaoh Eagle Owl
Looms so silent in the gloom
Serpents and scorpions meet their doom

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Lin Lane

Date: 4/11/2025 7:30:00 AM

I am so sorry your Acrostic didn't make it on time for the contest. Everything you write is a work of art, Terry. Your research is duly noted. I'm glad you posted it!

Terry Flood
Date: 4/12/2025 4:10:00 PM

Thanks, Lin. I have something of a habit of missing contest deadlines but, hey, you can’t create a ‘work of art’ in a hurry ;-)

I Am Anaya

Date: 4/10/2025 8:28:00 PM

Ah,so much work went into this amazing acrostic, Terry. I love Indiana Jones, nice reference! A +++

Terry Flood
Date: 4/10/2025 11:48:00 PM

Thanks Anaya. I’ve only just noticed that somehow ‘reprieved’ became ‘reprise’. Fixed that now. Glad you enjoyed. Terry

Jan Allison

Date: 4/10/2025 3:41:00 PM

excellent ink Terry and such a clever way to tackle this contest! hugs jan xx

Terry Flood
Date: 4/10/2025 3:46:00 PM

Thanks, Jan. Spent ages trying to make this make sense… and even checking that Bedouins, Pharoah Eagle Owls, scorpions and snakes all live in the Sahara (that’s just the way I am) AND THEN I FIND THE CONTEST IS CLOSED…. TYPICAL!!! Still… it got pen to paper, so that’s a bonus ;-)