Becoming more experimental in my old age… This is a writing exercise, a sort of prose poem based on free association with certain words or concepts. Very rough, but it was fun to do. I’m linking it to the Open Link Night at dVerse Poets Pub – join us for drinks, fun, good humour and lots of great (and very varied) poetry.
Wingspan: endless.
Eyesight: acute.
Disposition: heartless.
Victims: too numerous to mention.
Wanted in several countries as symbol of boldness, greatness, goal-orientation. A menace to one’s enemies, totemic of clear-sightedness.
But, locking your gaze onto a distant target, what might you be missing in the quiet corners, the nooks of your eyes?
Sudden swoop of power, then a lifetime of solitude on some bald crag of unnamed rock. Pecking at unwanted liver of a chap who never understood just why he was being punished.
Give me the magpie any day. Distracted, thieving, but always on the lookout for ideas, objects, friends. A life of peripheral vision.
findingtimetowrite 
very cool… probably it’s the independence and the freedom that makes us take the eagle as a symbol… but probably time to rethink— i like your description of the magpie a lot!!!
Marina Sofia – Magpies are great birds! The eagle has always appealed to me because its beauty in flight. And of course it’s a symbol of strength, independence and so on. But your poem reminds us of the chinks in that armour.
I agree! I’d rather be the curious and creative magpie than a feared predator. Well written.
I love the power & strength of the eagles ~ However the magpie’s vision is also enchanting ~
Oh, they couldn’t be more different in temperament, could they?
Never thought of the types of personality within the bird kingdom, but yes, once you see it, it is quite obvious.
I shall have to google ‘totemic’ 🙂
Made me look at Eagles differently for sure! Love this line, “Pecking at unwanted liver of a chap who never understood just why he was being punished.”
I always thought it was a bit of a harsh punishment for Prometheus. Thanks for visiting – and I do wish you would write poetry more frequently on your blog – I love it!
I think I would still take the straightforward truth of the “eagle,” and knowing where I may stand as their prey, over the sly and thieving magpie.
the life of peripheral vision does seem so much more interesting…
This was really awesome and very clever 🙂
What a great exercise – I love where you went with this. I’m a bit of a magpie fan too 🙂
Oh the loneliness of the raptor… always alone… the magpies with their teamwork and thieving attitude get much further…
I can’t help feeling sorry for the eagle. But at the same time, I am all too aware that… eagle I am not!
Interesting way to look at an eagle, I like the way you presented the facts. It does seem like it would be a lonely life, wouldn’t suit me either.
good capture of the eagle…nicely done! ~jackie~
Hi Marina,
This works for me – good experimentation… With Best Wishes Scott http://www.scotthastie.com
Rather the life of a Magpie for me too.
Anna :o]
I like this interpretation and what it could imply between its lines – for me it acts as a subtle protest poem as well as an accurate denotation of the birds themselves! Fine work.
Yes, that comes into it as well, thanks for noticing. From the Roman Eagle onwards, there’s that imperialistic tendency associated with it…
It readily presents a contrast. The eagle a pillar of strength and grace and a subtly small but talkative magpie! But yes, still the magpie is preferred! Nicely Marina!
Hank
Perhaps, with shorter attention spans and tendency to ‘borrow’ ideas from others, we are all becoming more magpie-like…
Strong statement about the Eagle. Yes, most days, I’ll take the magpie, too.
This put me in mind of Ted Hughes ‘Hawk Roosting’ one of my fave poems – I find myself in awe of such birds – nice post Marina.
Goodness, I can only wish I could observe nature even a quarter as well as Ted Hughes. I always feel I lack the words for flowers, fish, fowl and so on…
Not by the evidence here, dear Marina 🙂
“Wanted in several countries as symbol of boldness, greatness, goal-orientation. A menace to one’s enemies, totemic of clear-sightedness.”
You bring the gorgeous bird of prey to a new insight, and I enjoyed it thoroughly.
Cool capture!
i see people’s personalities in this write
Oh, I love this! Though I do confess a certain fondness for raptors, especially hawks.
Yes, I think they are fascinating too: falcons and hawks especially. I’m just a little scared of them…
I like this on so many different levels. Really thought-provoking experimental piece.
The bird such a powerful……….. so is your write about it.