The Scorpion

Bestiary-blogging, entry 8 of 9

Three years ago, my son Terry and I wrote a young adult fantasy novel called The Poem Beasts. It is currently submitted for consideration at a major publisher. In honor of the opening of the movie of The Hunger Games, a major work in the young adult genre, we offer a taste of our work—nine days of the poems of The Poem Beasts.

The Scorpion

"Scorpion" woodblock print by Terry Price.

Transcription:

A warning to ill-wishers from the well-meaning master

Beware!  The scuttling scorpion, a scary vision for a prison cell

A protector of the imprisoned one, he paces relentlessly

With a striking stinger like a steeple above it

To attack with claws, the scorpion wars

In double shell armor of blood red and obsidian

Implying vicious venom to keep the vermin at bay

This steadfast soldier patrols the prescribed path

Historical Background:

Scorpius (or Scorpio), a scorpion, is probably best known as an astrological sign. According to one version of the Greek myth, Scorpius was sent by Artemis to kill the hunter Orion after he had raped a female follower of the virgin goddess of the hunt. All three were placed in the sky as constellations, with Scorpius positioned far from Orion. Scorpius rose in the Eastern hemisphere just as the constellation of Orion vanished beneath the Western horizon. Thus the myth endlessly replays in the sky: Scorpius pursues as Orion flees.

The constellation Scorpio.

© 2012 Lee and Terry Price