A Man-eater’s Confession: a #TankaTuesday #TankaProse

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They thought they could cut down my home. Burn my cover. Steal my quarry. Or perhaps they never thought at all, and just took what wasn’t theirs without considering the cost.

Now, they are my prey.

Still a danger, to be sure. But what choice did they give me? Was I to lie down and die? Starve as they hauled away good meat? Cower before their dogs and their guns?

No. I am made to hunt. That is what I do. That is what I will continue to do. Until the day they put me down.

What is it they like to say? “Catch a tiger by the tail?”

How appropriate.

waxing moon

the rustle of underbrush

by the water

the aftermath of a kill

we all brought upon ourselves

for Colleen’s 2019 Weekly #Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge No. 124 #SynonymsOnly

and Real Toads’ Tuesday Platform (imagined by Anmol (HA))

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18 responses to “A Man-eater’s Confession: a #TankaTuesday #TankaProse”

  1. Carrie V. H. Avatar

    Certainly man gave him no choice at all. Clever and a wise message in these great lines Frank!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar

      Thank you, Carrie! 😀

      Like

  2. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) Avatar

    No there is no choice but survival in the end… this always applies.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar

      Yes. And yet it is so easy to vilify the victims. Thanks, Bjorn! 😀

      Like

  3. kanzensakura Avatar

    I always side with the animals cheer them on.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar

      Here, here! Thanks 🙏

      Like

  4. sanaarizvi Avatar
    sanaarizvi

    Tyger Tyger, burning bright ….. 🙂
    This is such a wise and contemplative write, Frank. Survival of the fittest I say! ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar

      thanks, Sanaa! 😀

      Like

  5. Sherry Blue Sky Avatar

    I think of this so often….the life humankind has created for the animals. Not surprised at all when I hear of an animal now and then fighting back. We have left them with few resources. Well done, Frank.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar

      Thank you, Sherry! 😀

      Like

  6. kim881 Avatar

    Tigers are such beautiful creatures but they are made to kill, and you’ve conveyed this so well, Frank. I like the tiger’s voice, so honest and unapologetic – nothing to apologise for when you’re a natural hunter and you’re hungry. I love the menace in the rustle of underbrush!

    Liked by 1 person

  7. anmol(alias HA) Avatar

    This is so significant — the entire man-wildlife conflict is because we have encroached upon their spaces. Like we promote the survival of our species, they are equally entitled to the resources of this earth. I loved the atmospheric and wild tanka.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Colleen Chesebro Avatar

    Wow! This is so powerful, Frank. A needed contemplation of the wild animals who struggle to survive. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar

      Thanks, Colleen! 😀

      Liked by 1 person

  9. […] A Man-eater’s Confession, #TankaProse #Haibun #TankaThey thought they could cut down my home. Burn my cover. Steal my quarry. Or perhaps they never thought at all, and just took what wasn’t theirs without considering the cost.Now, they are my prey.Still a danger, to be sure. But what choice did they give me? Was I to lie down and die? Starve as they hauled away good meat? Cower before their dogs and their guns?No. I am made to hunt. That is what I do. That is what I will continue to do. Until the day they put me down.What is it they like to say? “Catch a tiger by the tail?”How appropriate.waxing moonthe rustle of underbrushby the waterthe aftermath of a killwe all brought upon ourselvesFrank Tassone […]

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar

      Thanks, Colleen! 😀

      Like

  10. memadtwo Avatar

    Humans need to learn respect and how to co-exist…but they only seek to conquer. They cannot always win though. (K)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar

      Indeed! Thanks! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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