It is good and right to fear the predator,
those who are made of tasty meat.
Stay on the path and out of the wood.
Keep your head down, eyes narrow’d.
Shuffle, shuffle, stay hunched over
Ready like rabbits to dive into cover.
It is good and right to fear the wolves,
and lions and bears and shadows and night.
Stay close to the houses, don’t wander off.
You could be gone like the smoke, poof.
Keep your arms pulled in really tight
Stay tense and afraid, ready for flight!
Foolish little sheep, staring at the woods,
not knowing the dangers are closer to home.
Your keepers are scavengers, they prowl.
Blaming the darkness on us who howl.
Watching them would be wise, you know,
they have no loyalty, no code to show.
Silly little sheep, staying on the paths
not seeing the monsters shadowing behind.
Wearing mansuits, singing woman songs,
looking ever so much like here they belong.
Your tender meat to your own kind too,
they know you are sheep as well as I do.
Ghosting along through your dreams and tales
the wolves and their shadows cast darkly, long.
Fear the woodcutter, witch, merchant and king.
Our howls make you tremble, what a thing!
When their soothing voices are more deadly still,
and their soft hands sharply diving for the kill.
There be wolves, it is true, and you know it so
don’t be afraid of the dark woods at night.
There are greater innocence eaters than we
they surround you every day, you hardly see.
Telling lies and tales to keep you close by
“Stay out of the woods” be wise, wonder why.
Faerie tales are warnings, from the wildness
for the tame ones, like them, like you and you.
Listen closely, for the daemons you fear the most
are those who live, breath, eat and touch closest.
Dance in the moonlight, fear the darkness not
unless of course you are their sheep and get caught.
2011 Copyright Shanyn Silinski
http://withrealtoads.blogspot.com/2011/09/kerrys-wednesday-challenge_21.html
A slight tongue in cheek response from a wolfish poet to this challenge. Remember, the predators are always stalking but you sweet tender sheep are always looking at the wolf when the slaughter man comes. Watch carefully little sheep, keep your Shepherd close, and trust those dogs. Don’t listen to the stories that lead you astray.
Sunflower Poetry 
manicddaily said,
September 22, 2011 at 1:14 am
This has a lovely faerie quality, liketruefolk song.
shanyns said,
September 22, 2011 at 1:28 am
🙂 Thanks! And thanks for coming by.
charlesmashburn said,
September 22, 2011 at 1:36 am
A very interesting poem, and entertaining, too. It has a slight resemblance to my post today:
shanyns said,
September 22, 2011 at 1:46 am
Thanks Charles, it was meant to be a bit tongue in cheek 🙂 and I did enjoy your poem today.
Laurie Kolp said,
September 22, 2011 at 2:20 am
Vivid and multi-layered… especially like the last two stanzas.
shanyns said,
September 22, 2011 at 1:53 pm
Thanks Laurie 🙂 It was a fun one to write.
Sherry Blue Sky said,
September 22, 2011 at 3:12 am
I enjoyed this….so true that our fears are often misplaced. It’s the “civilized” creatures I’m really afraid of:) not the wolves.
shanyns said,
September 22, 2011 at 1:53 pm
Sherry – me too! The wolves I understand, the wildness makes sense it’s the supposedly tame and civilized that I fear more! Thanks for coming by 🙂 Great to see you here.
Robert Lloyd said,
September 22, 2011 at 3:22 am
“Faerie tales are warnings, from the wildness
for the tame ones, like them, like you and you.”
I don’t know why but this really stuck in my head. I enjoyed reading this but came back this part a few times. wonderful write anything that makes me ponder is worth reading.
shanyns said,
September 22, 2011 at 1:49 pm
Robert – *smiles* thank you so much! So glad you found a bit that you enjoyed so much and pondering is good. Thanks for coming by!
Sarah Johnston said,
September 22, 2011 at 5:21 am
I enjoyed this and hope I will never be one of the sheep. Thanks for sharing
http://gatelesspassage.com/2011/09/21/remember-the-years/
shanyns said,
September 22, 2011 at 1:47 pm
Sarah – thanks for coming by and commenting. I never want to be a sheep either, *wolfish grin* but I don’t think we have to worry about it!
Kay Salady said,
September 22, 2011 at 7:11 am
This is excellent. Thanks for writing it!
shanyns said,
September 22, 2011 at 1:44 pm
Kay, thank you! *smiles* and I’m so glad you came by.
jinksy said,
September 22, 2011 at 9:28 am
“Ghosting along through your dreams and tales”
That’s fairy stories for you…
shanyns said,
September 22, 2011 at 1:54 pm
That’s them alright! Thanks for coming by Jinksy, great to see you here.
Poetry & Icecream said,
September 22, 2011 at 11:46 am
I enjoyed reading this tongue in cheek poem. It keep me interested to the end 🙂
shanyns said,
September 22, 2011 at 1:56 pm
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! So happy you came by.
Kerry O'Connor said,
September 22, 2011 at 1:11 pm
This an epic response to the challenge, with many layers of meaning contained in the shifting viewpoints. The wolf’s warning is one would should heed.
shanyns said,
September 22, 2011 at 1:57 pm
Kerry – *smiles* Thank you! I loved the challenge, as an avid fan of Pinkola Estes faerie tales have lots of depth for me, and I wanted to bring that out here. I always listen to the warnings of wolves! 🙂
fiveloaf said,
September 22, 2011 at 4:35 pm
its a feat to ever write so long and you did it perfect! tq shanyn for coming by..
shanyns said,
September 22, 2011 at 6:53 pm
Five Loaf – thank you so much for this comment! *smiles* and thanks for stopping by!
The Orange Tree said,
September 22, 2011 at 5:52 pm
brilliant interpretations.
a job well done.
🙂
shanyns said,
September 22, 2011 at 6:56 pm
Thank you! So glad to see you here.
The Orange Tree said,
September 22, 2011 at 5:52 pm
brilliant interpretations.
a job well done.
🙂
Kay Davies said,
September 22, 2011 at 5:52 pm
This makes me want to become vegetarian. Poor little lambs who have lost their way, thinking the shepherd will save them; will let them live long lives as safe sheep.
Very nicely done, Shanyn.
— K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel
shanyns said,
September 22, 2011 at 6:57 pm
Kay – thanks for coming by and leaving your comments. I did somewhat mean the sheep were people being sheep like 🙂 And as a rancher I promise the animals in my care have a very diligent shepherd 🙂
edpilolla said,
September 22, 2011 at 7:38 pm
great lyrical pace and fairy quality.
shanyns said,
September 22, 2011 at 7:45 pm
Ed – thank you for coming by and for your comment! 🙂 I’m going to visit your blog now.
Daydreamertoo said,
September 22, 2011 at 7:57 pm
Yes indeed, there are many wolves in many different guises and a parent is wise to teach their child they whys and the wherefores to try to distinguish between them.
Very, very vivid imagery. A lovely read.
shanyns said,
September 22, 2011 at 8:25 pm
Thank you Daydreamer for coming by and leaving your comment. It is true, what you said, and we need to even as adults understand the hows and whys of predators in our lives. Some of us learn through experience, the saddest ones never learn. I’m so pleased you enjoyed the poem, and it was great you stopped by.
The Oldstrong said,
September 23, 2011 at 11:26 pm
I really like this piece, to me it had a feel of a scary story you’d tell a child, the kind that sticks in your mind even as you reach adulthood
shanyns said,
September 24, 2011 at 1:25 am
Thanks 🙂 I was hoping for that, with a bit of a twist meant for grown ups 🙂 So glad you came by!
elainedanforth said,
September 24, 2011 at 4:00 am
Fun to see a different take on wolves from the one presented in Charles Mashburn’s poem. Seems from the above comment you two already clued into the fact that you have similar themes this week, or I would have pointed it out.
I think it works well, the way you have conceived having the wolves point out that they are not the greatest threat, “There are greater innocence eaters than we.” It’s a funny twist to have them speak kind of in their own defense, but also warning specifically against those who are a worse threat.
shanyns said,
September 24, 2011 at 1:37 pm
Elaine – yes we two noticed that right away! I’m glad you noticed, and enjoyed the warning from the wolves.Too often the most efficient predator is the one we don’t fear enough as one (other people for example) and I thought it was time the wolves spoke up! 🙂 The wolves at our ranch are really good neighbors, much better than the two legged ones at any rate.
elainedanforth said,
October 1, 2011 at 5:01 am
It’s marvelous to hear that you actually have direct experience with the wolves at your ranch, Shanyns. I’ve never seen a wolf in person.
shanyns said,
October 1, 2011 at 3:36 pm
Elaine – they are amazing animals! We have a lot of wildlife here and we have worked hard to make sure we have a balanced environment for our animals and the ones who are wild and share this land with us.
jenneandrews said,
September 24, 2011 at 6:15 am
Look at you, on a roll here. So glad you got all of these responses. Now I want to write a wolf poem. This has many beautiful, intense lines in it, shanyn— xxxxj
shanyns said,
September 24, 2011 at 1:35 pm
Jenne – yes I’ve been on quite the poetry roll lately! It’s been great, and so encouraging to hear from so many people. Please do a wolf poem, I would love to read your wolf poem. Glad you enjoyed this one.
CC Champagne said,
September 24, 2011 at 6:18 am
Ah… We are so good at blaming the ‘others’, those bad wolves in hiding in the trees, when in fact we are the culprits in most of the scariest stories…. I know you wrote it tongue in cheek, but that is what I got out of this – and I really enjoyed it! Beautiful, Shanyns!!!
shanyns said,
September 26, 2011 at 4:38 pm
CC – you got exactly what I was writing! We too easily blame the ‘obvious’ wolves when the real culprits are too often more deadly and much closer to home! Thanks for coming by…and I’m so pleased you enjoyed it!
dani said,
September 24, 2011 at 3:54 pm
great job!
shanyns said,
September 25, 2011 at 3:23 am
🙂 Thank you!
Jacqui BB said,
September 25, 2011 at 11:10 am
I like this. Do I have to say why? Only yesterday up on the mountain ridge my dogs stopped they exploration and stood still and growled. Such a strange activity for them. And I backed off to the car. There be bears this time of year.
Wise but a life lived in fear is not a life. Ask the sheep.
shanyns said,
September 26, 2011 at 1:36 am
Wise move Jacqui listen to your dogs (and horses too!)…so glad you came by and I’m glad you liked it. There is no need to live in fear, you are so right, we just need to be wise and alert!
moondustwriter said,
September 26, 2011 at 3:01 am
I know I read this guess my comment didnt go thru – I enjoyed the fairy tale aspect and the reality as well
shanyns said,
September 26, 2011 at 1:35 pm
Thanks so much for coming by, and thank you so much for coming by to leave your comment twice (even though the wolves got the first one 🙂 )
Mel @ Trailing After God said,
September 26, 2011 at 2:09 pm
Awesome, Shanyn! I loved this! I especially enjoyed this line, “Telling lies and tales to keep you close by
“Stay out of the woods” be wise, wonder why.” Really great job my friend!!
Blessings,
Mel
Please feel free to stop by: Trailing After God
shanyns said,
September 26, 2011 at 2:50 pm
Thanks Mel! So glad you came by, and enjoyed my poem. 🙂
Kim Nelson said,
September 27, 2011 at 3:01 pm
A brilliant write, Shanyn, filled with inferences both subtle and direct. You have a talent for making topics of challenge accessible. Well done.
shanyns said,
September 27, 2011 at 8:49 pm
Kim – thank you very much! So glad you came over to read and enjoy.
caridwen said,
September 27, 2011 at 6:48 pm
I enjoyed this, particularly the repetition of “it is right and good to fear the wolves” – in the Christian liturgy, you hear “it is right and good” in response to “lift your hearts to the Lord” – so that sort of aligned your poem with a liturgical quality for me, which further underscored your subject because fairy tales are related to myths, myths to religion, and therefore fairy tales can supplant religion and superstition, reign supreme as the driving force of a community – so this was like reading the cautions of a village elder to his people. Fun!
shanyns said,
September 27, 2011 at 8:49 pm
Very big smiles here – you got it! So glad you enjoyed it and the layers 🙂 It was fun to write.
Mary said,
September 27, 2011 at 8:01 pm
Be sure to check Poets United today (Tuesday). A poem of yours is featured….enjoy.
shanyns said,
September 27, 2011 at 8:48 pm
Mary, thank you so much! I found it – I’m so honoured!
Morning said,
September 28, 2011 at 6:12 pm
very enchanting, you rock.
shanyns said,
September 28, 2011 at 7:52 pm
*smiles* thank you!
Miss Kitten said,
September 28, 2011 at 8:22 pm
Really good. I love how you evoked “Little Red Riding Hood” and put your own spin on it. It’s true that we’re taught to stay out of the dark woods, but what’s right behind us is much more dangerous. Well done!
shanyns said,
September 28, 2011 at 9:32 pm
Thank you! Glad you stopped by and I appreciate your comment too!
edpilolla said,
September 28, 2011 at 9:08 pm
this was a lot of fun. it was like an ancient understanding of the landscape as it looked.
shanyns said,
September 28, 2011 at 9:33 pm
🙂 Thank you! I’m glad you came along for the walk in the woods!
The Cello Strings said,
September 29, 2011 at 1:41 am
creative,
and funny too.
Happy Poetry Picnic.
shanyns said,
September 29, 2011 at 1:54 pm
Thanks! It was mean to be fun and a little bit of a warning too, from the wolves of course!
charlesmashburn said,
September 29, 2011 at 1:44 am
I don’t know if you’ve seen my latest “wolf” poem.
shanyns said,
September 29, 2011 at 1:54 pm
Charles – I’m on my way there now, thanks for coming by!
Kellie Elmore said,
September 30, 2011 at 12:13 pm
Foolish little sheep, staring at the woods not knowing the dangers are closer to home
Makes me think of being a mother looking after her children.
shanyns said,
September 30, 2011 at 12:58 pm
Indeed Kellie, I wrote it as a Mama who is wolfish so yes you are completely right!
Thursday Poets Rally said,
September 30, 2011 at 6:10 pm
some divine thoughts, wow.
amazing entry.
please comment to let us know after you are done returning favors and making a minimum 18 comments,
Happy Rally.
Thanks a ton for the beautiful entry and instant participation.
shanyns said,
September 30, 2011 at 7:02 pm
Thank you for coming to visit and for leaving your comment. Am going to read the poets now!
blitzken said,
October 1, 2011 at 10:50 pm
Silly sheep indeed, perhaps it’s so,
Yet they should not change,
That much I know,
If they did,
We’d lose something,
With no recompense,
They represent the purest,
Of our innocence.
Thanks for the piece, I enjoyed it very much, and it really got me thinking. 😉
shanyns said,
October 2, 2011 at 2:13 pm
Thanks for your addition, and a different perspective on it! 🙂 I suppose starting out innocent and sheep like is okay, but we should perhaps one day become wiser. 🙂