On the Prowl



Gliding along, with their wings up high ...

Two grown swans sail fast towards the five

Both males, and moving in for a connecting ...

Of the young female, the rest are protecting



The parents swim swiftly along behind the hen

As the two brothers - one on each of her sides - hem

So she's covered on all sides from an attack

As the two adult males follow, but keep well back



They know the parents can get really aggressive

Hissing and even snarling with beaks suggestive

A hint of the violence inherent in the adult birds

Particularly, when their angry warnings aren't heard



Whether it's swans, horses, or cats, or dogs, or people

We're all in families, and tend to want to keep 'em ...

So we protect other members in any way we can ...

And this gives us innate satisfaction, making our stand



- Tristram



© Christopher W. Thomas

6pm Wed. Jan. 12th, 2000