Paul Callus Poet Quatrain

Notes About The Poem

Tiger Snakes

Along the coastal areas
in wetlands and by creeks
the tiger snakes are waiting
alert, with bloated cheeks.

They hide in expectation
where timber rots away,
in matted vegetation
and leafage in decay.

Thick-bodied, plain or banded
right down to robust tails,
with brightly varied colours
and overlapping scales.

Their venom can be fatal.
They strike in self defence.
When threats become a danger
they go on the offence.

The tiger snakes are waiting
to catch unwary prey,
betraying no emotion.
Their patience lasts all day. 

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Animal in the Wild Contest
Hosted by Line Gauthier
Placed 1st

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FJ Thomas July 9, 2018 at 3:18 PM What a beautiful creature! You've done him much justice my dear Paul. Paul Callus July 9, 2018 at 3:38 PM Thank you, Flo. As always, a pleasure to have you stopping by. Hope you are keeping well. Regards // paul

Carole Duet May 29, 2018 at 2:39 PM Well, I can see why you got a 1st place with this poem, Paul. So descriptive and though I really dislike ssssnakes it rocks!! Paul Callus July 9, 2018 at 3:37 PM Thank you, Carole; I'm glad you like the poem especially when taking into consideration that you dislike snakes:) Excuse the late reply...I'm afraid your comment skipped my attention, somehow. Regards // paul

Carolyn Devonshire May 19, 2018 at 8:31 PM Wow! What an extraordinary poem about a specie I have never encountered. Wonder where their habitat is? Congratulations on your well-deserved first place, Paul. Love, carolyn Paul Callus May 20, 2018 at 1:13 PM Thank you, Carolyn. I don't know in which countries they are to be found, but according to a friend of mine who lives in Sydney, they are very common in Australia. He said that he has even found them in his garden! Love & Hugs // paul

James Inman May 19, 2018 at 7:12 PM Nicely written and very informative Paul. Paul Callus May 20, 2018 at 1:07 PM Thank you, James. Best regards // paul

Andrea Dietrich May 19, 2018 at 9:55 AM I had time to check your poems again and this time can see you got first place. So awesome for you!! bye now, I have errands to run and dance recital to get to of my grand daughter this afternoon! Paul Callus May 20, 2018 at 12:52 PM Looks like we're all busy with our granddaughters, Andrea! Yours, mine and Connie's are all involved in dance recitals/exams. Mine and Connie's = ballet; I wonder what yours is! Regards // paul

Elaine George May 17, 2018 at 2:35 AM I love animals...but...I think I would tread carefully around this one. You wrote a perfect Quatrain in everyway, Paul. Elaine Paul Callus May 18, 2018 at 5:00 PM Thank you for the lovely comments, Elaine. Treading carefully makes sense to me! Enjoy the weekend. // paul

Chris Hagy May 16, 2018 at 10:38 PM This rhyme slithers off the tongue like these creatures you warn me of Paul... hope I never run into one! Well written, have a great day :) Paul Callus May 18, 2018 at 4:39 PM Your comment about slithering rhyme & snakes makes a lot of sense, Chris:) Thank you for a pleasant visit. Take care...and watch out for snakes:) Regards // paul

Andrea Dietrich May 16, 2018 at 3:03 PM Great job with this challenge, Paul. I hope it was a numbered placement you got! Congratulations Paul Callus May 18, 2018 at 4:13 PM Thank you, Andrea. It placed well, surpassing my expectations. Have just enjoyed reading about your winning entry: Meerkat Manor. Regards // paul

Eileen Manassian May 16, 2018 at 1:15 PM Paul.... your meter is impeccable. You make snakes seem beautiful. Your talent always astounds me. I've been busy for the most part of the day correcting final exams. I'll email tomorrow morning. Sending warm hugs Paul Callus May 18, 2018 at 4:25 PM You are too kind, Eileen. Glad you mentioned meter; it is something close to both our hearts. Hope you had a lovely birthday:) Hugs // paul

Winged Warrior May 16, 2018 at 4:32 AM A great depiction of the Tiger Snakes, Paul...superbly done...best of luck my friend...love and light...^WW^ Paul Callus May 16, 2018 at 9:57 AM Thank you, my friend. Best regards // paul

Ravi Sathasivam May 16, 2018 at 3:14 AM Excellent description of a deadly snake. Well penned. Thanks for sharing it. Paul Callus May 16, 2018 at 10:00 AM Glad you liked it, Ravi...thank you. Regards // paul

Richard Lamoureux May 15, 2018 at 8:05 AM This is so well expressed Paul. What a magnificent animal. Paul Callus May 15, 2018 at 12:59 PM Pleased you enjoyed it, Richard...thank you & regards // paul

Tom Cunningham May 14, 2018 at 12:23 PM Congratulations on your win Paul. Tom Paul Callus May 15, 2018 at 12:37 PM Thank you, Tom. Regards // paul

Susan Gentry May 14, 2018 at 11:38 AM Congratulations on your #1 win with this beautiful poem about such a beautiful but omg (shiver) snake. You do make it sound so pretty. Paul Callus May 15, 2018 at 12:25 PM Thank you, Susan. Snakes are beautiful to admire...from a safe distance:) Regards // paul

Line Gauthier May 14, 2018 at 11:34 AM Your rhythm in this poem is awesome, Paul. Your write is fascinating, informative without sounding like a summary from a National Geographic issue. Congrats on your well deserved gold medal. Paul Callus May 15, 2018 at 11:56 AM Thank you Line; that gold medal is truly appreciated, and so are your insightful comments. Warm regards // paul

Susan Ashley May 13, 2018 at 10:46 PM Paul, your poetic lines flow so smoothly and your rhymes are amazing in your beautifully descriptive write of the tiger snake. Your last two lines convey ‘cold-blooded’ personality traits - very clever, my friend! Warmest wishes and hugs.. ~Susan Paul Callus May 14, 2018 at 11:30 AM Thank you, Susan...love your comments. You interpreted the last lines to perfection. ~ Warm regards and hugs, my friend. // paul

Vijay Pandit May 13, 2018 at 3:59 PM That snake looks deceitfully colorful and scary. You described the movements in well crafted rhymes..enjoyed reading your entry..best for a win, Paul. Paul Callus May 13, 2018 at 4:15 PM Thank you, Vijay. I'm not scared of snakes, but would undoubtedly avoid poisonous ones! Not long ago I had the 'pleasure' to hold a 6ft python; it felt cold and heavy, and was surprisingly docile! Regards // paul

Nette Onclaud May 13, 2018 at 3:19 PM you snake charmer, paul, ignite my senses in a stunned way...marvelously written though i would really stay away from you and that cunning reptile... huggs Paul Callus May 13, 2018 at 3:39 PM It is wise to stay away from certain snakes, Nette, especially if they are metaphorical ones:) Thank you for the pleasant comments:) Hugs // paul

Heidi Sands May 13, 2018 at 2:43 PM Well written poem Paul. Good luck in the contest :) Paul Callus May 13, 2018 at 3:25 PM Thank you, Heidi. Best regards // paul

Anne-Lise Andresen May 13, 2018 at 2:38 PM - I'm terrified of snakes, Paul - Luckily we did not have this in Norway :) - A great described poem - Best wishes in the contest :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :) Paul Callus May 13, 2018 at 3:01 PM You're not the only one to be afraid of snakes, Anne-Lise! They only go after naughty people, so you have no problem there:) Hugs // paul

Jan Allison May 13, 2018 at 2:25 PM such a lovely flow to your descriptive rhyme Paul. I hope they don't have them in Malta! good luck in the contest:-) hugs Jan xx Paul Callus May 13, 2018 at 2:52 PM Thank you, Jan. Don't worry...you will never encounter one of these in Malta:) Hugs // paul

Tom Cunningham May 13, 2018 at 2:21 PM Lovely flowing verse Paul, when I come across something I've never heard of, I always google it.Will be googling tiger snakes. Do you have them where you live ? Good luck. Tom. Paul Callus May 13, 2018 at 2:38 PM Thank you for the 'like', Tom. We don't have Tiger snakes in Malta; in fact we only have a few snakes, and none are poisonous. Regards // paul Tom Cunningham May 13, 2018 at 2:28 PM P.S. Just found out that they are among the world's deadliest, quite common in Australia.