The Wolf - the grey and the shadow -- A Genna East poetry challenge

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The Challenge

I took up this challenge after reading Genna East's poem entitled Of the Shadow and the Gray. I watched her two videos and was moved by them. I have always loved the wolf and that may be because my maiden name is Wolf. I have always had an affinity for the wolf, and It has always been the symbol of our Wolf family and is pictured on our Wolf family crest.

I am also greatly concerned about the conservation of the wolf as its numbers have been growing thin for a long time. Today, in the national parks out west, the wolf is being protected so its numbers can grow.

Although many people fear the wolf, it will not bother humans unless it is bothered by them first. Wolves run in packs, but that is because of their strong sense of family. They are one of the few animals in the animal kingdom to birth their young, continue to raise them to adulthood, and well into adulthood the original wolf family remains together. So the wolf gives us a strong sense of family which I have always liked.

Here is my poem of the wolf, which I love, and I hope to see well preserved now and in the future.

Genna's Challenge

Snow Wolf - the grey and the shadow

I am your friend.

I am a Wolf, too.

Over the centuries

Your grey and shadow

Have flowed in my bloodline.

So misunderstood are you.

Your aquiline nose - so strong and graceful.

Your eyes - lovely but piercing.

Your sensitive soul mirrors my own.

Cold and snow, as for you, has become my season.

Although you run in packs;

Although you howl;

I do not fear you.

I stand my ground.

My quiet loneliness reaches out to yours.

Through your strong majesty and regal sense

With which you hold yourself,

You are my friend . . . as you come to eat from my chilled hand.

Wolf Song - Celtic Version

Comments

Kari Poulsen from Ohio on December 02, 2017:

I enjoyed this ode to the wolf! Very nice. :)

Suzette Walker (author) from Taos, NM on May 09, 2016:

I am glad you enjoyed it Phyllis. I do love nature and 'all God's creatures'. Thank you for your kind words. Poetry has never been my forte but I do try to write some.

Phyllis Doyle Burns from High desert of Nevada. on May 03, 2016:

Remarkable poem, Suzette, written with the heart and soul of one who love Nature's creatures. You are a fine poet. I love wolves, so thank you for this beautiful poem.

Suzette Walker (author) from Taos, NM on February 16, 2016:

Kim: How beautiful to comment with a poem of your own. You are such a talented poet, Kim. Yes, you are definitely a Lioness of the finest degree. Thanks so much for reading my poem!

ocfireflies from North Carolina on January 18, 2016:

Dear Wolf aka Suzette,

I celebrate you. I do not fear you, but embrace your beauty and grace.

Thank you for including your song. Look out your window and see me dancing my prayer for wolves everywhere.

A Lioness, or so I have been told,

Suzette Walker (author) from Taos, NM on December 24, 2015:

rd: thanks so much for stopping by to read my poem. I am glad you enjoyed it. The wolf has a special place in my heart.

Rochelle Ann De Zoysa from Moratuwa, Sri Lanka on December 21, 2015:

Amazing poem beautiful animal. Merry Christmas to you and may God bless you!

Suzette Walker (author) from Taos, NM on December 12, 2015:

Hi Diana: I am so glad you enjoyed reading this. Even though the wolf is not considered a domestic animal, I have heard of instances like your son's friend who have made them pets. They are more friendly than we humans give them credit for.

The wolf truly is a beautiful creature. My son's friend had one for a pet and it was such a friendly animal. Your poem defines the character of the wolf beautifully!

Suzette Walker (author) from Taos, NM on November 27, 2015:

Ann, thanks for stopping by to read this and I am glad you enjoyed it.

Ann Carr from SW England on November 27, 2015:

I like the way you've turned the title. Lovely poem, full of emotion and love of wolves, right up to the stunning finishing impact. Great response.

Wolves are amazing creatures, aren't they? I love that stare that seems to look into the soul!

Suzette Walker (author) from Taos, NM on November 21, 2015:

sujaya: Thanks so much for stopping by to read this and I agree WOW to the wolf.

Suzette Walker (author) from Taos, NM on November 21, 2015:

lady: Wolves are beautiful and intelligent creatures. Thank you so much for reading this and I am glad you enjoyed it.

a wow to the wolf

stella vadakin from 3460NW 50 St Bell, Fl32619 on November 09, 2015:

The wolf is both amazing and beautiful. We could learn much about what family means just from watching.

Suzette Walker (author) from Taos, NM on November 06, 2015:

Hi Devika: Thanks so much for reading my poem and I am glad you enjoyed it. I was pleased with how this turned out.

Devika Primić from Dubrovnik, Croatia on November 05, 2015:

I like the way you expressed each line and such a wonderful thought from you. The presentation is perfectly approached.

Suzette Walker (author) from Taos, NM on November 05, 2015:

Hi Nell: Your son's experience of walking with the wolves is so interesting. I would love to do that one day! I didn't know England still had any wolves as I know they have become sparse in Europe. So glad England has some left and you are able to view them. Thanks so much for reading!

Suzette Walker (author) from Taos, NM on November 05, 2015:

Vellur: Thank you so much for reading my poem and I am glad you enjoyed it.

Suzette Walker (author) from Taos, NM on November 05, 2015:

Thanks Eric and I am glad you enjoyed reading my poem.

Suzette Walker (author) from Taos, NM on November 05, 2015:

Genna: I am so glad you enjoyed my poem. I was so inspired and moved by your poem and videos. I think the wolf is a beautiful animal and they do not harm humans unless provoked. I have not read the Picoult novel but I will have to read it soon. I didn't even know she had written one about wolves. I was moved and inspired by your poem and videos and the result is this poem. I have been on HP sporadically so you may have issued the challenge a while back, but I just got to it. LOL!

Nell Rose from Buckinghamshire UK on November 04, 2015:

I love wolves, my son recently went to the wolf sanctuary and walked with them! lucky thing! and your words said it beautifully, they are so mysterious yet cuddly too, great piece for the challenge!

Nithya Venkat from Dubai on November 04, 2015:

Amazing poem, it brings out the strong and the vulnerable side of wolves.

Eric Dierker from Spring Valley, CA. U.S.A. on November 03, 2015:

I tried to tell my son about seeing wolves in the wild and magnificent they are. I hope he gets to see some someday in the wild. So I will read him this poem, thank you.

Genna Eastman from Massachusetts, USA on November 03, 2015:

Thank you for participating in this challenge, Suzette. And what a truly moving poem, written with deep compassion. I have to say that it is one of my favorites. It also reminds me a little of Jodi Picoult's novel, "Lone Wolf." The sections I just love focus on Luke's experience living with a wild wolf pack in Canada for nearly two years. His story brings these magnificent, shy predators into the light. How they eventually accept him into the pack (their family unit) is mesmerizing. You have given these fascinating creatures a unique soul that many do not see. :-)