Squawking Lake



The squawking lake
birthed  majestic
feathered ducklings.
Protected and pampered
they spent their
days in a sapphire Eden.

But deception lurked
along the lake’s shores.
The lake was not paradise.
It was a water farm
where harvest meant death.
The duckling’s destiny
was the oil of a boiling pot.

Pastoral tranquility melted
into the noise of a city market
where the ducklings were hung
as trophies to sate human’s
appetite for the taste of duck soup.

©Susie Clevenger 2011
Prompt: Mag 87

magpietales

Comments

Tumblewords: said…
Oh, yes. It reads so true. Nicely done.
Isabel Doyle said…
Every paradise has a catch?
Great poem Susie
Anonymous said…
Nicely expressed. I like the 'sapphire Eden' phrase.
I could never eat duck so empathise with the sentiment here.
Jamie.
Dave King said…
A moving indictment of man in one of his many unlikeable modes. An excellent response, well crafted.
Berowne said…
Nicely written; good take on the prompt.
Brian Miller said…
tranquility busted...deception within the beauty...nicely done...
Maude Lynn said…
I love your take on the prompt!
Doctor FTSE said…
The ducks' brief life brought to life. Thank you.
Nanka said…
This one touched my heart Susie and I was thinking of all the beautiful birds in an emerald green pond!! This poem has been done superbly, loved it!!
Trellissimo said…
I almost feel sorry for them...
Arnab Majumdar said…
I almost feel guilty for enjoying chicken and duck dishes so much!

Cheers,
Arnab Majumdar on SribbleFest.com