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Throw down the gauntlet

  You who essay to command the hawkBrave your bare skin to talons deepFist bunched, arm outstretched toTake her weightKestrel of skied wings and speckled breastYellow legs clasp tight on bloodied arm But she rests on you, calm Golden promise ringsWatching youPiercing beak, fur And blood edged from kill But she rests on you, calm Head cocked to your racing heartYet she rests on youYour skin to her claw a mergerOf folded wings You could bind her to youWith leather jessesBlind her to youWith hooded tie You choose to love her She deftly leans into the windDrifts large circlesStaying with youShe chose youSeabhac, bird of the light.
— seabhac, Mar 02, 2010

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Country/Region: GBR

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Critiques

xena465

xena465

16 years 3 months ago

Birds of Prey…such beauty

Birds of Prey...such beauty but wild. When I see one of these beautiful birds resting on the arm of a human being...looking comfortable, but still vigilant, it's wonderous. Brilliant poem and nice images you brought to my mind. Rosina xena465
seabhac

seabhac

16 years 3 months ago

Thanks Rosina

Yes always retaining the wild in them no matter how 'tamed' we think they are. Seabhac
Kailashana

Kailashana

16 years 3 months ago

When knighthood was in

When knighthood was in flower, and damsels were in distress, the hawk was a lady named Seabhac. Lovely poem. ~A she chose or chooses you "If parents really would love their children there would no longer be any war." J. Krishnamurti
seabhac

seabhac

16 years 3 months ago

Ah were it still so ~A were it still so!

Do I need rescued from nights alone By dragon hunting men Who piece together shattered hearts and Deign a tattered dress as charge I have my steed to carry me My heart is made from felt Oh trusty knight beware I carry sheathed sword Beneath my belt ( or the odd talon or two ) Seabhac
Kailashana

Kailashana

16 years 3 months ago

I can only speak for myself,

I can only speak for myself, Lady Hawk, your true knight will find you amidst all the sheaths of your dress, pinioned beneath your body-sword. ~A "If parents really would love their children there would no longer be any war." J. Krishnamurti
yenti

yenti

16 years 3 months ago

Seabhac

There is no choice when two souls merge as one, they join you with the grace of a nature, that is hard but in its tenderness of fierce eyes and sharp tallons it is complete, as it is a beauty that connot be equalled, what a lovely piece of writing, I would say that with a few minor changes and I cannot say where but just feel, this would be up the with the masters, Yours Ian.T
seabhac

seabhac

16 years 3 months ago

Ian you quiet encouragement is always welcome

It is too freash as yet to work with changes but I know this one wanted itself written and I was just the tool, given a little time it might also intimate where I can craft it better. Thank you Seabhac
yenti

yenti

16 years 3 months ago

Seabhac

This piece was really lovely in its state, no need to change it, the only reason for the sugestion was for later as I can see this piece as a really great piece there is no panic to change even one word, i visited an Owl and Eagle place near here last year around this time and it was the first time the boss man was going to let his Eagle fly and he let me have it on my arm it was a beautiful thing to have sitting there as the Great Spirit Eagle is portrayed in a few of my writings. You take great care of you as you seem to be able to reach out to the creatures we love, Yours Ian.T
O

Orphani

16 years 3 months ago

The tenderness and love is

The tenderness and love is very evident in this powerful poem. Placed against the bird of prey imagery it makes it a regal and majestic offering. Swoop in and consider some editing. B
seabhac

seabhac

16 years 3 months ago

Thank you Barry

Must get my beady birdy eyes to revisit this and work on editing ...needs a bit of settlement time though Seabhac
VX

Venus x

16 years 3 months ago

Ahhhhh Seahbac **Smiles**

Ahhhhh Seahbac **Smiles** Hawk.....Messenger of the sky, Circle my dreams and teach me the message as we fly. In my culture the Hawk is akin to Mercury, the messenger of the Gods. Hawk Medicine teaches you to be observant, to look at your surroundings. Observe the obvious in everything you do. Life is sending you signals. I love this pen, Seahbac, it speaks of you. Lovely share. Love and Hugs, Venus xxxx
VX

Venus x

16 years 3 months ago

I am of American Indian Hertiage

I am of American Indian Heritage (Cherokee and Chippewa) Scared little rabbit... please drop your fright, running doesn't stop the pain or turn the dark to light. Long ago rabbit was a brave and fearless warrior. There is a tale that rabbit was befriended by Eye Walker, a witch, but because rabbit betrayed Eye Walker and her friendship, she placed a curse on him and his tribe and to this day, rabbit is now a fear caller. Seeing rabbit reminds us to stop talking about terrible things and "what If' it teaches us to set our fears aside. It also can indicate we need to rest and re-evaluate our present set of circumstances. Venus xxx
seabhac

seabhac

16 years 3 months ago

Venus thank you

Seabhac is an old Irish druidic name for hawk. I have a great affinity with birds of prey in particuliar the peregrene falcon, I rescued one as a young girl and it was released when grown. She taught me much. Hugs returned Seabhac
VX

Venus x

16 years 3 months ago

Thank you so much Seabhac

Thank you so much Seabhac for explaining that to me **Smiles** I love learning new things about different cultures. :-)) It also explains why I see 'wings' around you, I thought it was angels, but now I know differently. :-) Hugs, Venus xxxx
M

magics02

16 years 3 months ago

The Hawk and the Eagle

Sea This one is lovely as I am also in tune with the birds, small ones and definetly the larger ones as the bald eagle flys around my house many a day. This apoem reminds me of something but I have just not put my finger on it yet. Truly a nice write of yours, actually GREAT!! Loved it. magics02 Learn to live, learn to forgive. Life is too short.
seabhac

seabhac

16 years 3 months ago

Thank you Magics02

It is good to read about so many having empathy with birds, it is a long time since I saw the bald eagle fly and how good that you can see them often, think of me in your visit from them. This poem is many things to me alone so the variations on what the reader must take from this are as always interesting. Nice to have you on a 'flying' visit. Seabhac
seabhac

seabhac

16 years 3 months ago

Such a lovely range of tits

From the coal tit to the great tit, this is the time of the year when they are so active in their haste to find a suitable nesting site for their forth comming broods. Delightful darty birds of intense colour and fun Ah yes the sparrow, dull and hardworking This brings to mind your delightful poem of the sparrow , in fact also the dove...quite a bird fancier you are really. Seabhac
judyanne

judyanne

16 years 3 months ago

Awsome. And the imagery is

Awsome. And the imagery is amazing. How we all can sit tame and quiet when we trust someone. 'You could bind her to you Blind her to you... You choose to love her... Staying with you... She chose you...' love it Seabhac Judy
seabhac

seabhac

16 years 3 months ago

Thanks Judy

Hope to drop in on your work later. Best Wishes Seabhac
Candlewitch

Candlewitch

16 years 3 months ago

Dear Seabhac

One has to admire such a creature of strength and wild heart. Beautiful! Always, Cat
weirdelf

weirdelf

16 years 2 months ago

me like

crawwwk! Cheers, Jess, reprehensibly irrepressible
Seren

Seren

16 years 2 months ago

Cannot believe my comment

Cannot believe my comment birthed this ... bravo and the gift of inspiration is passed on love and hugs Jayne-Chloe x x x