Animal Story
A Pantoum with Consonance

by Ardalan Pourvali

Squawking seagull beaks prey upon candlefish
while a high tide invades the mainland
but barriers block a tsunami
the storm surges; people withstand

While a high tide invades the mainland
raiding squirrels invade the coots nest
but barriers block a tsunami
and gawking crows raid the rodents quest

raiding squirrels invade the coots nest
rifles round on the holster of hunters
and gawking crows raid the rodents quest
“Shots fired!” said the squirrel thumpers

Rifles round on the holster of hunters
and scavenging ravens exterminate pests
“Shots fired!” said the squirrel thumpers
while dictators leave their people oppressed

And scavenging ravens exterminate pests
But sportsmen kill ducks for wild meat
While dictators leave their people oppressed
and assassins kill humans for the elite

But sportsmen kill ducks for wild meat
“Hunters Judgment night!” Commanded His wish,
“and assassins kill humans for the elite!”
Squawking seagull beaks prey upon candlefish