This is another of my “wolf” poems, of which there are many. I was fascinated with wolves when I was young, and read every book about them I could find. This one is being posted on Thursday Poets’ Rally Week 52. Stop in and read some of the wonderful poetry on their site!
In the Blink of an Eye
Two wolf cubs in a moonlit field
They run and jump and tumble
While mom sniffs out a midnight meal
The little ones snarl and rumble
Teeth barred, their growls of warning
Unheeded by one the other
Run in circles beneath the legs
Of startled hunting mother
Mom gazes after fleeing pups
Returns then to the search
“Who” says owl with golden eyes
From lofty tree limb perch
A low growl escapes wolf mother
Heart beating and filled with fear
She barks a warning to her young
Instructs them to come near
Bird blinks slow then great wings beat
Moon shadow drifts ‘cross the ground
Pups yip, mom growls a warning
Then three watch, make no more sound
Moments pass, the danger gone
Mom resumes the search for food
One eye searches for living meat
The other stays on her brood
Life goes on, the circle turns
The three will live another day
Here, where in the blink of an eye
The hunter becomes the prey
Copyright © 1999 C. Mashburn
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Marbles In My Pocket ~ The Official Blog of Charles L. Mashburn ~ Poems, Short Stories, and random thoughts from the author of "Be Still... and know that I am God" 
Ina said
Life goes on, the circle turns! Lovely!
charlesmashburn said
Thanks for the read and comments, Ina! I appreciate it!
Sherry Mashburn said
Love this!!! Cycle of life . . .
Manoj Kewalramani said
Absolutely lovely! Loved the end and agree with it… there’s a cycle and then there is a context where roles change.. awesome stuff..
charlesmashburn said
Thanks, Manoj! Your comments are always appreciated!
terri0729 said
Very nice Charles! We have coyotes around my house. One night right outside the livingroom window, I had a bunch of pups yelping for momma. Not a day or so long and the nest of baby bunnies Mark found was gone 😦 . The cycle of life… To everything there is a season, no? Peace and love, Terri
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Terri! I have some good coyote stories, but will save them for blog pieces.
As always, I appreciate the visit and comments!
manicddaily said
Really enjoyed that! Even though I’m a vegetarian!
charlesmashburn said
Haha! Well, I’m afraid wolves and owls are not vegetarians!
Thanks for the visit and comments!
Apryl Gonzales Sweet (@SweetApryl) said
Wolves are mysterious and beautiful creatures, I like how you have used their lives to tell the tale of living with the understanding of how brief life is. Well done Charles!
charlesmashburn said
Yes, they are mysterious and fascinating!
Thank you for the visit and comments!
Sherrie Theriault said
It is always amazing to me how life proceeds and doesn’t need permission! Great write! Thanks for your comment to me, it is so kind of you to read and post!
charlesmashburn said
Your welcome for the read, Sherrie. And thank you for stopping byt o read this one.
Your visits and comments are always appreciated!
The Oldstrong said
The never ending circle of life. Have always had a strange fascination with wolves. What’s the inspiration behind this piece. Was it simply from your childhood fascination?
Another brilliant piece of writing from a poet, I always look forward to reading your poems Great work Charles
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Lee. This was written about fifteen years ago, and it was during a period of time when I was writing a lot of “wolf” stuff. This one is just one of many where my imagination combined with the knowledge of the wolf to make this poem. I also wrote numerous poems about werewolves during that time, which were inspired by Robert McCammon novels I was reading back then. I will be unveiling the first of those on Gooseberry Picnic next week.
Thanks again for the awesome comments!
Susie Clevenger said
The circle of life…wonderfully written…wolves have always fascinated me…my daughter was once diagnosed with Lupus…they call the rash on the face the “wolf’s mask”
charlesmashburn said
I had never heard that about Lupus. Very interesting.
I appreciate the visit and comments, Susie!
ds said
“the hunter becomes the prey”–yes, the wheel keeps turning. You capture well the wolf’s maternal instinct. They do fascinate.
Thank you.
charlesmashburn said
Thanks for the visit and great comments!
thingy said
I love wolves. This was a great write. : )
charlesmashburn said
Alright! Thanks for the visit and comments!
Marlee-I Mystic said
Great piece on a mother’s job 🙂
Here’s my potluck entry: http://mysticmarleei.wordpress.com/2011/09/16/love-lost/
charlesmashburn said
Thanks for the read and comment!
shanyns said
Love this poem, very well done, and truly spoken.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you! Your comments are appreciated!
Sarah Johnston said
yes you are so right life does go on in a blink of an eye. The hunter and the hunted keep balance in nature
http://gatelesspassage.com/2011/09/21/remember-the-years/
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Sarah. I appreciate your visit and comments!
Parth Joshi said
loved the finality of the last lines…
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Parth!
Alcina said
Awesome..and a very nice story through a poem 🙂
Alcina
charlesmashburn said
Thanks for the comment, Alcina!
Kay Salady said
Your words are soothing to the soul despite the topic. You reassure that all is right with the world and everything is as it should be. As ever, a lovely write. Thank you, dear Charles.
charlesmashburn said
I am glad you see that side of the story, Kay. It is obscured somewhat by the fear and danger aspect, but it is truly the core of the story. Life goes ”round, and it is what we make of it.
Thanks for the wonderful comments!
Poetry & Icecream said
An interesting read and I love tales about mothers protecting their young. A lovely write indeed 🙂
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Norma! Your comments are very much appreciated!
Catie Eliza said
I love the rhythm and the story telling… the turning tide of the chase.. i love nature and it’s complexity. I love our Lord who made it. :] thanks Charlie xx
charlesmashburn said
Good to hear from you. I miss your laughing joyful comments! I just read your latest and commented on it. I hope you’re doing okay!
Catie Eliza said
I’m doing okay… had some ups and downs… thanks, but I’m blessed to have a heavenly Father who doesn’t fluctuate like I do… He is constant and Faithful and Good. :] xx
charlesmashburn said
That’s good to hear. And, you are so right; He never wavers.
Come back soon!
fiveloaf said
you have a very keen eye charles.. such acute observation makes it a very nice read! tq for coming by..
charlesmashburn said
Thanks for the visit and comment, Mr. Five!
antomaniax said
Very interesting read…Thanks for sharing.
charlesmashburn said
Thanks for the visit and comment!
The Noiseless Cuckooclock said
wise conclusion, very thought provoking piece..
🙂
charlesmashburn said
Thnaks for the visit and comment!
Old Raven said
Love wolves, being a raven … that is only natural. Love the poem too.
charlesmashburn said
Thanks for the visit and comment, Old Raven!
Larry Meredith said
Vision of how we can never take life for granted. Even the hunters have a hunter. Every creature must be eve vigilant to continue it kind and yet there is a kinship and love within each creature.
Larry
charlesmashburn said
I agree, Larry. Thanks for the thought-filled comments! Very much appreciated!
Inside the Mind of Isadora said
We are all victims of some predator. Life is a cycle. The weak
will be overpowered by the strong. For me, a bit of a biblical
tone. Enjoyed this very much, Charles.
Blessings,
Isadora
charlesmashburn said
Very good comments, Isadora! Thanks for stopping by.
elainedanforth said
Wow, Charles!
This is such a vivid and fun poem. It is great for this time of year– kind of has Halloween written all over it. It reminds me of some of my favorite Halloween season songs and stories from school when I was a kid.
Also, those little wolves you write in are so cute, probably even cuter than the ones in the little photo you include.
This is also one of those poems whose ending really catches me by surprise, since I was just so wrapped up in the scene unfolding in my mind’s eye, and enjoying every second of it.
I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised, looking it over, really, because the suspense, danger and fear are certainly in there throughout– I realize that what you’re saying there at the end, “in the blink of an eye/ The hunter becomes the prey,” is actually that the mama and little wolves are okay– for now– which I guess I also got on first reading, but even the specter of the powerful wolves falling to the threatening birds was something of a shock to me, as I read.
This poem about wolves reads so well, it is interesting that your knowledge of them came only from reading books as a kid. Great how those childhood animal interests can really spark our imaginations and stick with us well into life– such a pleasure to nurture and build on those fond memories.
charlesmashburn said
Wow, right back at you, Elaine. What an awesome comment! I’ve never recieved one so lengty and in-depth. I love it.
I can see the Halloween feel in this, also, as it does have a spooky feel. And the cuteness of the pups was intentional; they were out to play, while mom took care of business; oblivious to dangers all around them.
I felt no surprise in the ending, as to me, it was simply “a day in the life” for animals in the wild. Wolf pups–all small animals are food to larger animals, and moms know they must be vigilant if the young ones are to grow up in a world that sees them as nothing but food. The wolf is indeed a powerful animal, but the pups are just pups–small and defenseless, concerned about nothing but fun and frolick.
I’m glad you enjoyed this poem, and I certainly did enjoy the comments!
Christopher Raley said
Nicely done Charles.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Christopher!
Nefarious X said
I liked this.
The subject was touching and interesting.
I enjoyed the image of the wolf pups in their element.
The overall poem was entertaining and the last lines were
great close.
good work.
charlesmashburn said
Thanks very much! One of the main elements I tried to show was the pups not being aware of the danger, yet knowing somehow they must listen to the mother, or suffer dire consquences. They had no idea they could be a midnight meal for the owl.
I appreciate the visit and comments!
Kellie Elmore said
Charles, you should write books! this reminds me of a Dr. Suess story almost. You just have such joy in your words, a lyrical tone and it it so easy to read with a wonderful flow. Its flawless. I envy those who rhyme! I love this!
charlesmashburn said
Wow! Thanks, Kellie! What wonderful comments. You started my day off beautifully!
SiNA said
the hunter DOES become the prey one way or another 🙂
charlesmashburn said
Very true!
Thanks for the visit and comment!
mbwilliams said
A charmingly told story in poetic form, really good job!
charlesmashburn said
Thanks, mb! I appreciate the visit and comments!
tigerbrite said
Gosh. Took me ages to scroll down to leave you a comment. I enjoyed thank you. So did lots of others I passed on the way.
charlesmashburn said
Sorry bout that! I appreciate you taking the time to comment!
ticklyturtle said
A lesson lived is a lesson learned, especially when the table is turned… Lovely poem. That line prior the comment is a summary of my understanding. ^_^
charlesmashburn said
I’m not sure what you mean by “That line prior the comment is a summary of my understanding.” But I appreciate your visit and comment!
Rajlakshmi said
what a beautiful write. loved the narration and the ending. That’s a part of life.
charlesmashburn said
Thanks for the great comments!
Leonargo said
I know I’m not the first but must say I love “Life goes on, the circle turns” and I just saw the Lion King 3D last night so this really is quite epic. 🙂
charlesmashburn said
Thanks a bunch, John. I appreciate the great comments!
anjum wasim dar said
Lovely action packed story highly descriptive with a lovely ending’ a famous quote’ the hunter becomes the hunted’ Enjoyed greatly
charlesmashburn said
Thanks for the lovely comments! Much appreciated!
magher1 said
Nice flow! The circle of life… Makes me feel a bit nostalgic;)
charlesmashburn said
Alright! Thanks for the visit and comment!
disjointedrhymings said
Lovely piece, I really enjoyed it (and not just because you got my two favourite critters in it 😉 )
charlesmashburn said
Thank you for the wonderful comments!
saya said
Wow very nicely depicted the circle of life..
Me likes it 🙂
Thanks for visiting..
charlesmashburn said
You are welcome for my visit, and thank you for stopping by here!
Your comments are appreciated!
Andy said
Hello Charles.
I really enjoyed reading this and the message it implies is spot on.
Nice images too…wolves are such beautiful creatures.
Thanks as always for sharing.
Your Song Of Love
charlesmashburn said
Thanks for the comments, Andy. I appreciate them very much!
Ector Ward said
A glimpse of raw nature. Something comforting here.
Good job, Charles.
caridwen said
a lovely scene of motherhood in the wild. :o)
charlesmashburn said
Thank you! I appreciate the visit and comment!
clariice said
A cycle of events. In the blink of an eye,the role changes if we are not careful. So we shall be on alert,lest things change when we are not looking.
Thanks for crafting this piece.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you for the visit and comments!
Kellie Elmore said
Teeth barred, their growls of warning Unheeded by one the other Run in circles beneath the legs Of startled hunting mother
I could see this terrifying scene so vividly! You’re a master! 🙂
charlesmashburn said
Your are too kind, Kellie. Thank you fro the wonderful comments!
A.B. Thomas said
Superbly done – I must be more deeply “Disney-ized” than I thought as whilst I was reading I could not get the voice of the narrator of all of Disney’s old animal stories out of my head reverberating your words with his down home Southern slang!
charlesmashburn said
I like that, A.B.! I’m thrilled that I could get the narrator’s voice going in your head. Thanks for the awesome comments!
tenraikenshin said
Wow! That was quite a poem! It’s like you have personal experience with the way they live. Thank you so much for giving us that glimpse!
charlesmashburn said
No personal experience. Just read a lot about them. Love them!
Thanks for the great comments!
Polly Robinson said
I like dire warnings 🙂
charlesmashburn said
Cool!