THE BACHELOR

His gum-coated tongue laps up flies

in a slow rolling motion. He goose-steps

with long black legs through trampled night sand

flicking up a fine dust.

She nestles into tall gutterings, curls

up to high-flown paper and leaves, and sleeps till

the sun sinks. Rain runs off her brown back,

only snow disturbs her.

At first light, sated, he walks the shoreline

ducking his head, sucking up water – a rasping

whistle through his teeth – the spray loosens rough

gum from his tongue.

They live separate lives. She attracts him

with a low murmering, excitement pitches

vibrations as far as half a mile, in waves

five minutes apart.

He picks up the signal, flies back and forth

across the river in a bid to escape but comes

closer to her position on every return journey

until he lands at her feet.

Mating over, he dances in rage – now leaving

now charging, though he is weak already.

He leaves her to bury the eggs, and screams

at the opposite bank.

She @@$%s him twice a year. The eggs hatch out

when the ground is soft, April, October….frost

would suffocate the young, they must fight

their way out with still-soft claws.

The moment their eyes open, necks stretch and

feet hook into a rival’s head, red is the first

colour they know. She clambers over his strong thighs

eyes on the road ahead.

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Author guidance for This poem

This poem ended up as an allegory but it began with an imaginary creature called a Sand-hopper, and a list of questions to ask it: How and what does it eat and drink? Where? How and where does it live? How, when and where does it make love and what is the result? This is a writing exercise, so once you’ve got your information and know what or who you’re writing about, build it in any form you like – prose or poetry or surprise us! Give the next writer a creature, or 2 word-combination as a title. Sorry this had to be marked as mature because of the swear-word but it gives a lot of scope for serious work that the kids might not be able to understand. Try not to post too early; I think this is a chance for real polished pieces of work asking for real feedback, so give your work at least a week’s rest before posting after a final edit and check for spelling...or, find an established piece of work that can be blended into this exercise and create a whole new piece. Also, this is a published poem – STAND Magazine 1993. It should be time that a lot of writers on this site prepared work for sending out…and I’d be happy to help with serious feedback for anyone who feels they’ve got some work ready for submission. Hope I don't sound too teacher-y but it really would be great to see some absolutely finished pieces of work.

updated Jan 12 '09 by ireneintheworld