In the holy society
of praying mantises
females have to feed by rule
from males` bodies
By mating, just after
courting and dancing,
while love-making...
Once there was a mantis born,
I mean hatched, with lesion
- kindness in heart.
She refused to eat males
for breakfast, for lunch,
even for dinner! (yet a small eater!)
Soon the poor creature,
anomaly of the nature,
was accused of being a pervert,
an outcast of a holy society.
She spent her life in praying,
writing memoirs and... love poetry...
The idea came to me after watching a documentary on Animal planet channel on tv. :)
Sofia,28. May 2008
A quaint legend indeed One, and the female mantis will certainly devour the mating male's head if irrational circumstances dictate. I would suggest however there are more Mantii like your mantis poetess than the urban myth promotes - but pervert and deviant? I don't think so. A diet of mating partner's heads would never sustain a truly creative poetess - there's no possible substance in the diet! Tee hee. Rgds, Ivan
I'm going to take this one as a favorite. Again, the creative mind is overwhelming in every aspect. This kind of mind is rare indeed. The creator of this piece has qualities beyond poetry. Universal qualities, while rare, are most apparent in this particular art. The beauty of poetry is not just in its creations but also can lie within the creator. GW62
Your fable of the vegan mantis est tres droll.Poor thing I hope she finds a like mind and is not lonely in her conviction. Ah well...there is always love poetry! love Donall Donall
Will this mutant mantis be favourite for natural election? I love mantis like this. And I've cheered up.
i laughed n laughed reading the last two lines...thnq!
A pervert of nature, yes; praying mantis does eat the male after reproduction - I wonder why the male continues to sacrifice himself while reproducing other males - perhaps that's why. We are taught that all acts of nature amongst living organisms, other than humans, are for the good of the species. Just took a look at my wife and wondered whether I would give my life to perpetuate my tribe in the very act of this perpetuation! ...... well, I'm not a spider. Onelia, haven't read your work lately. Please give us a new one soon. Merry Christmas.
Great cautionary tale, Onelia! We must always obey the customs of the country if we are to be accepted into society, even if it means cannibalism! You made me laugh again!
How lovely Onelia! ! I say eat all males (then you've destroyed the evidence! !) Poor little mantis, I hope she learnt a new MANTRA - 'I must eat all males after indulging in what their bodies had to offer'.... 'I must eat all males after indulging in what their bodies had to offer'.... 'I must eat all males after indulging in what their bodies had to offer'.... 'I must eat all males after indulging in what their bodies had to offer'.... 'I must eat all males after indulging in what their bodies had to offer'.... OK - so I've lost the plot but you get the idea! ! ! Lovely penning One. HG: -) xx
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
a praying she-mantis refusing males for a feast! did she 'thrive' on females then? pray, my holiness! an ani'male' planet, alien though, appreciate this exclusive for females by its flavour if not by its taste!