Breathless Carp

Haiku and commentary

dark cloud is passing

pelican dips and snatches

pouch of life and loss

I am fascinated by nature's predators and victims. Some predators are brutal, while others are graceful, like the pelican who dives into the water in one fluid motion and comes up with a fish.

As we know, humans are also predators. Not only do we seek and destroy for survival, but we also prey upon the weak and vulnerable for power, greed, and sport.

Another theme of this haiku is 'life and loss.'

One moment, we're alive; the next, our life is snatched away. We could be happily swimming in a pool of water or walking down a tree-lined street, and out of the blue, we are inside the belly of the beast.

We have very little control. When it is our time, we cease to exist, whether we like it or not. Our lives are temporary, and most of the time, our death is unplanned.

The answer to this predicament is to cherish those days we are alive before the pelican of death swoops down upon us. Our lives are precious. If we can only be mindful of that.

© 2021 Mark Tulin

Here's another haiku from Mark: