Sunday, April 22, 2012

Magpie Tales #114 - "Deadly Charms"

Go to http://www.thomaspeschak.com/kayak-great-white-sharks-/
to read the fascinating story behind this photograph.   Just click on the link -
See below for more info on Thomas Peschak (books & a vimeo.com site)
Deadly Charms

An oxygenated aquarium,
cool to the touch

would have been safer
at the ocean front beach

for viewing sleek,
deadly charms;

beware,
predators exist,

for it's not only
the Great White

that can grab, rip
swallow whole

a woman's heart.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, April 22, 2012

image by Alex Stoddard http://alexstoddard.carbonmade.com/

To be fair, most sharks leave humans alone.  We kill more of them...  watch this video on Shark Nets:




This poem if for Magpie Tales # 114.  Tess Kincaid is the host and she provided the photograph on the bottom for over (what will be) 100 poets to use as inspiration.  So click on over to "The Mag" and enjoy!

Also linked with Imaginary Garden with Real  Toad "Open Link Monday".

The top photographer is one I stumbled upon via the internet. He is a contributing editor to National Geographic Magazine and a fellow of the League of Conservation Photographers (ILCP).  He has a Vimeo.com website.  Please check him out and be aware he has three books:  "Currents of Contrast", "South Africa's Great White Shark", and "Wild Seas Secret Shores of Africa"  Directly above is a video he filmed (he is, or was 2 years & 8 months ago, the Chief Photographer for "Save the Seas Foundation"!  ENJOY!

29 comments:

Laurie Kolp said...

Oooh... I love this, Margaret!

Anonymous said...

very good, succinct and the point of view is evident.

Anonymous said...

that's' funny, i just watched Jaws 1 and Jaws 2 this week

altered states

Kerry O'Connor said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kerry O'Connor said...

Your comparison delivers quite the bite at the end of the poem!

I believe this picture was taken in the coastal waters of my country, South Africa, where earlier this week a bodyboarder was ripped apart by a Great White. This is a very dangerous creature - not to be regarded as a sportsman's adrenalin rush, unless he is prepared to die a grisly death.

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Promising-SA-bodyboarder-killed-in-shark-attack-20120419

Brian Miller said...

sharks are def majestic...but also bred predators....and yes it is more than sharks that will chew on the hearts of anyone...

TexWisGirl said...

i liked the surprise twist at the end.

Daydreamertoo said...

There are so many more human sharks than animal ones for sure. And, what we do to these sea creatures is abysmal.
Lovely imagery :)

Unknown said...

This is an interesting comparison of the human shark to the ocean variety. I love the ominous feeling you have summoned in this poem. The tank in the forest looks innocent enough. Thank you for sharing this, Margaret.

Jeanne said...

Fascinating photo, but really glad it was not me in the little kayak!!Thanks for sharing this neat photo!

Brandee Shafer said...

Ooh...I like it! My thoughts went straight to Natalee Holloway...

Dan said...

As an underwater photographer I can attest to the fact sharks are an apex predator and similarly to lions both hunt the weak and sick.

Thought provoking post.

Little Nell said...

I like this comparison with the 'human' shark and the timely warning at the end. The links were fascinating too; I have a friend who goes sea kayaking.....now should I send him the link?

Ginnie Hart said...

Ahhh, the sharks of life! Like so many other dangers, the ones from Mother Earth are not the worst!

Silent Otto said...

Awesome!, who is this cad? , i am trying to think. Looks like he is Getting his, as the water retreats.

Kat Mortensen said...

Don't we girls, know that!

Tess Kincaid said...

So very true...

Herotomost said...

A zinger of an ending.....and what a photograph. A great take and twist on the photo. Loved it.

Unknown said...

Very nice Margaret, from title to a woman's heart, every line. Great read. Thanks

Semaphore said...

...And the wounds from such a bite may, in turn, take even longer to heal.

Anonymous said...

lovely, Margaret, as a poem - though it has me shuddering a bit at the thought of what a Great White or other predator can do to one's heart

Marian said...

ain't that the truth!

Dave King said...

Superb - and a small helping of corrective truth does no harm. Well done.

Sreeja said...

Deadly charms is a charming write indeed..

Anonymous said...

Absolutely - I can see many falling for this guy! Great take on prompt! K.

Ginny Brannan said...

Out of the two predators, I am sure men do the most damage, especially when it comes to ripping out the hearts of women!
I love your take on this, Margaret, and also found the background most interesting. I give these researchers much credit for their nerves of steel, especially when comparing the size of that Great White to the size of the kayak! Fascinating, thanks for sharing!

Mystic_Mom said...

The most deadly sharks walk the land, not swim the seas. Love the image, and the information. Especially love the poetry!

Margaret said...

Thank you, everyone! I almost didn't write this poem as I found it a hard photo prompt. But I'm thankful for the challenge as it is one of my favorite Magpie's I've written ;) I guess the moral of the story here is "don't give up".

S.E.Ingraham said...

as you've made plain ... there are sharks and then, there are sharks ... nice write ...

http://nsaynne.wordpress.com/2012/04/27/living-with-a-wolf/