Loggerhead Shrike by Carol Allen Anfinsen
Axe’s bleeding edge
Raised o’er outstretched necks
To strike.
Gene-spliced monsters fledge
As architects pledge
“Safe-like.”
Evolution sledged
On extinction’s ledge
Blind shrike.
A Butcher Bird, or Shrike is a predatory songbird, fearless and bold. It is a ferocious killer that will impale its victims.
This lai form poem (please see here and here for more information on the form) is written for Reena’s Exploration Challenge, whose prompt this week is BLEEDING EDGE, defined as the very forefront of technological development, as well as being an entry for this month’s lai form challenge at dVerse.
Tao Talk 
That bird looks cute, but your description is more ominous. I like the phrase “extinction’s ledge”.
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Frank I was stuck on that last line and was looking at the rhyme words. I knew a shrike was a bird but nothing about it. I was shocked to learn what it was like. I see human arrogance with the precious planet as like a shrike.
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such intense imagery
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I appreciate your feedback and for reading, thank you.
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Good to learn of a new format! I have not been circulating around on WP sites for sometime.
I like the iron running through ‘outstretched necks’, and ‘safe-like’.
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Thank you for that feedback, Reena :)
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Blind Shrike ………… by Jade Li
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Reblogged this on Reena Saxena and commented:
Blind Shrike ………… by Jade Li
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Brilliant poem
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Thank you, Sadje.
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You’re most welcome 🙏
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First read of the day, and it was an intense one! Wow! The phrasing is stellar, and I was so glad you added the info on the shrike as I was going to have to google it.. Excellent write!
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Violet, thank you so much for the feedback and the kind words.
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on extinction’s ledge…that’s a phrase that could have many branches. The sharp rhythm here suits the subject well. (K)
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Thank you for the feedback, Kerfe. I was on edge when I wrote it, just thinking about how we tamper with nature.
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It’s hard not to be constantly angry about it.
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Wonderful response to the prompt. Thank you for including the info on the Butcher Bird. Yikes.
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Thank you, Helene. It is a strange combination to have a songbird that kills! Luckily its name was what rhymed — and also fit for the meaning of the poem.
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My first time to read about this songbird. May its tribe be safe and not made extinct by us. Thanks for another entry and enjoy your week.
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Thank you for your kind comments and blessings on the shrike <3
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