The lone wolf creeps stealthily, friend to no other,
He seeks not companionship, friend nor brother.
Don’t try to get close, dare not to befriend,
For his deep-seated nature is himself to defend.
He cares not for the warmth and comfort of fire,
To be free and unfettered his only desire.
He knows only instinct and answers to none,
He wakes with the evening and sleeps with the sun.
He wanders the plains, valleys and woods,
Stalking his prey, his next source of food.
He studies his quarry, their weakness to find,
And strikes with great speed, his strength well defined.
Don’t scorn or condemn him for cruelty and pain,
Look to yourself, strive not to be vain.
Look instead for the likeness you unwittingly share,
For surely you’ll find your own countenance there.
A contest entry
- "Tyger" Contest ~ All genre. Winklings # 181 by Lyndon.
3000 points, ended July 14, 17 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - COME ON, THIS IS EASY, BRONZE TROPHY PRE-WRITE by Leance.
400 points, ended July 17, 22 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Give me your best by condor.
2600 points, ended August 20, 190 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Here's another anything goes by lovlilmystery.
800 points, ended November 18, 41 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 17 of 17
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This is a wonderful poem and loved the subject matter, about wolves. I have always had a fascination for wolves and other wild animals. Thank you for entering the contest. Take care and have a great day.
Sandi -
This overall is great. It does have some lines and rhymes that are really great, and others that could use some work, but the overall effect was nicely done. I'd work on the 3rd stanza mostly if I were you. Maybe clean up the rhythm and rhyme a bit, but the poem is really good regardless. Congrats on the well-deserved trophy!
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Nicely expressed. I love the way you utilized the wolf as a metaphor. You did so in a very well fashion. Most of your rhyme was very well done, only hit one bump....
He wanders the plains, valleys and woods,
Stalking his prey, his next source of food.
I had to back up and re-read these two lines as they didn't seem to flow quite as well as the others. Other than that..........you have a very powerful piece and very well written. Thanks so much for entering the contest and sharing. Best of luck.
Leance
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I often do think of myself as a bit of a lone wolf. They are such beautiful, attractive animals but not very social.
Enjoyed your write. Congrats on the bronze. -
oops I forgot †he applause
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this reminds me of visiting the wolf sanctuary in New Mexico. We learned a lot and when they howled in unison it was something. It wasn't bit by bit, one wolf and then another ... they howled all at the same second and for the same duration ... it began and ended like a song and on perfect pitch. No lone wolf ever howled ... it was amazing. Most of them had been abandoned or mis-treated by humans. I hope to visit again, soon. Nice job with the rhyme. I look forward to seeing more of your work.
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Thanks,
Lyndon, always good to hear kind words, I'll be checking out your page today. -
Excellent images and comparison to the human condition.
Congrats on the bronze!
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Thank you so much for your kind words...
it sure is inspiring to get a win once in a while, let's you know someone's listening...LOL.
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Being human, we tend to be
predatory even when not "hunting" in a pack. [Unless we follow the sermon on the mount!]
The final stanza gleans its power from the preceding stanzas. The symbolic nature of the poem is patently obvious but very well-written.
The rhymed lines and metre occur so naturally but I am one reader who appreciates the effort or well-honed practice evident.
Lyndon of the Winklings.
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Very nice ...
and very nicely done.
The final quatrain is indubitably the best, but all of this is well done, I'd say. I see your cheering section has covered just about anything else I could say, so I'll leave it at that.
Good luck with your writing in the future.
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"For surely you’ll find your own countenance there.
I admire this entire poem but this last line is just perfect. It sums up the poem so well and speaks to the heart of the human condition. My spirit guide is a she-bear but I have a good friend who is of the wolf clan.This descibes him so well.He is a lone wolf but if once he has accepted you as an equal he is a comrade for life,though you may not see him for years.Reading this made me think of him and ponder....
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An inspired work of tone and identity
A wonderful working of tone and identity moves throughout this piece. The journey from the lone wolf to ourselves is enlightening and a little unexpected for me. From the title all the way down to the last two lines, I thought this poem was just decribing the qualities of the wolf in his solitary life. Then the last line holds the genius of truth in the poem. I have so many times felt like the lone wolf, but, honestly I feel that you have felt it more, and it saddens my heart that you have. Yet from that pain comes this beautiful expression. Through this writing you have become a light in the darkness, and by the sharing of your spirit, you are alone no more.
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Big fan of this one! I agree Jimek, we share a lot with wolves. The very nature of a lone wolf seems very appealing. You captured the character well and did great personifying the wolf so that we could relate. Nicely done!
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We're alot alike
Humans and wolves share a lot of traits.Wanting to be in a pack and looking out for each other.Helping each other care for the young.My daughter married about two years ago and came to visit.When she left my dog howled several times which I have never heard him do before.I asked my wife if she thought he was trying to call her back to the pack.
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I've experienced the same thing with my german pinscher. He ate a tube of moisturizer and got sick. Instead of coming to me for comfort, he went to my wife instead. He howled at her and sat on her lap the entire evening, as though he sensed that she was the caregiver. After he got well, he nearly ignored her.
Thanks for reading and your generous applause!
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I'm kind of a lone wolf myself and you are right. We all prey on others when we deem it necessary.
What a noble creature though! Enjoyed your write.
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