»
Archives
»
Open Poetry #42
»
The Encounter
| Open Poetry #42 |
|
The Encounter |
|
|
Prasad Nataraj Senior Member
since 2008-05-29
Posts 1149Bangalore,India 
|
This poem is based on the lady’s encounter with a man-eater of Sundarbans. Sundarbans gets its name from its Sundari trees. These thick forests have been home for the Royal Bengal tigers. In this place both man and tigers live together fighting the battle for survival. Increasing human population as increased the encounters between man and beast. The tales of these survivors of such encounters is really hearting to hear. However the tigers are fighting a losing battle with man. As the darkness unfolds, From hundred years, about him stories have been told, I still had to leave my home to fetch water, For this was a basic need to my family, I had to cater. Walked on the muddy road with bare feet, It was early summer; one could still feel the heat, Crossed the road and reached the paddy field, My heart felt, this year we are going to have good yield. Every step in the paddy field taken, I was cautious, Because he was known to be cruel and ferocious, My heart was pumping hard, hands trembled with fear, Before you realize he could be near. Every grass that moved I thought it could be him, All the devotional songs I knew, started to hum, My decision to fetch water was firm. Crossed the field reached the pond, Saw the scenic beauty, felt nature and man had some bond, Filling the water from the pond, headed back home, With the pot on my head and hip, I moved like a worm. Crossed the paddy field, reached the tip of the muddy road, Behind me I heard a thundering roar, My heart was pumping hard, hands trembled with fear, Before I realized he was near. His eyes shining bright, black strips running from left to right, He made a swift move which gave me a fright, One push and I fell to the ground, His jaws opened wide, his head round. With one big bite I thought my end will come, To him may be I looked like bread Crum, His claws piercing on my hands and legs, His thundering roars tearing my ear drum. At that moment, I wondered from where these villagers appeared, Should be messengers sent from above, To save me from this encounter with the beast, If it was not for them, he would have had a feast. The villagers saved me from this encounter with the beast, If it was not for them, he would have had a feast, I still have the marks of his claws, One should live, the other should die, is a jungle law. "Hardwork pays in the long run" |
||
| © Copyright 2008 Prasad Natarajan - All Rights Reserved | |||
|
Ray Sharpe Member
since 2008-05-29
Posts 112Tenerife |
what an horrific time it must have been for her.....love the description |
||
|
Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
Hello, Prasad! Welcome aboard the 'pip ship'!  A convincingly, realistic write!!! ~ Almost too realistic! I could feel the tiger's fangs and claws ripping into me!!! The big cats scare me ~ but I adore my little one.  Giving you a warm, welcoming pip hug, Earth Angel  |
||
|
Prasad Nataraj Senior Member
since 2008-05-29
Posts 1149Bangalore,India |
Thanks Ray, thanks for the kind words. Thanks Earth Angel, Thanks for the compliment.Thanks for the warm welcome. Tigers are slowly but surely vanishing from this earth. I really want to everyone to know these big cats are pride symbol of India. Hope the poachers could read few poems about nature, may be they will stop poaching. And people who trader tiger skin and people who buy them surely they must be heartless. "Hardwork pays in the long run" |
||
|
A Romantic Heart Member Ascendant
since 1999-09-03
Posts 5496Forever In Your Heart |
 |
||
|
JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Thanks for sharing this fine writing...a joy to read...James |
||
Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
Your story highlights an important truth concerning man's interactions with 'wild' beasts. It is the two legged who is really the beast most of the time. Thank you for sharing. |
||
|
graeshine2006 Member
since 2008-06-03
Posts 368The Prairie Lands, USA |
Your last two sentences... such a shame that one should live - one should die must be the law. Weren't laws made to be broken. I do enjoy your writing. |
||
|
Prasad Nataraj Senior Member
since 2008-05-29
Posts 1149Bangalore,India |
Romantic Heart, thanks for this wonderful picture. James, thanks for these wonderful comments. Midnitesun, I know the two legged beast are the most dangerous ones. They are right here living with us not in the wild. Graeshine2006, thanks for these kind words. “One should live, the other should die, is a jungle law.” This law needs to be broken. "Hardwork pays in the long run" |
||
|
Marchmadness Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271So. El Monte, California |
I enjoyed this very much and also learned a great deal. Ida |
||
|
Robert E. Jordan Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Prasad Nataraj, This is a very good narrative poem. It's well written. I was pulling for the lady all the time. While i've worked a lot of times in India, I've never met one of those tiger guys. Bobby |
||
|
Prasad Nataraj Senior Member
since 2008-05-29
Posts 1149Bangalore,India |
Ida thanks again, it’s a pleasure to read your comments. Bobby, I am glad you liked my poem. I hope the next time you visit India, you get to see one.  "Hardwork pays in the long run" |
||
|
|
⇧ top of page ⇧ |
|
| All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format. | ||
