The Female of the Species

http://www.potw.org/archive/potw96.html ^ | ? | Rudyard Kipling

[backhoe]

I ran across this long-forgotten poem over on thefiringline.com- and present it with a respectful nod to the distaff side...

[JD86]

Thank you...:)

[backhoe]

Thanks for looking... I always liked Kipling, but hadn't seen this piece in years, It's something to mull over...

[IronJack]

I tried to find it. I thought I had Kipling Compleat. But I see no reference to it in "Departmental Ditties", "Soldiers Three", "Plain Tales", "Under the Deodars", or an anthology of poems and writings. What did I miss?

[backhoe]

Dunno! Your list sounds like it ought to include it. I can't recall when I first read this poem- teenager, probably, in the 1960's- but I do recall reading it.

There are a couple of references at the bottom.

[JD86]

I concur with the analysis. I was an Army wife and I always felt protected and safe when my husband was present. I knew he would take care of me and our children. But I also know when he wasn't there, I was more than capable of holding down the home front. And God have mercy on anyone who ever tried to harm my children, because I certainly wasn't going to. They would have had to go through me to get to them and that would not have been an easy task.

[JoeSchem]

I've known one or two male jerks in my life, but when it comes to individuals who'll eternally nurse a grudge and eagerly destroy your reputation and self-esteem and career over the tiniest perceived slight, I could name quite a few women.

[sarasmom]

Mostly true. :)

[JD86]

We never forget...:)

[Sabertooth]

Well, the female of the species is more deadly than the male.
Her simple tears will win the day where man's wits often fail.
And things are even worse for men, since Rudyard Kipling wrote,
For the female of the species now has got the right to vote.

[JoeSchem]

We never forget...:)

That's true, so long as 'Remembering Differently From What Video Tape Would Show' is counted as 'Not Forgetting.'

[elbucko]

I like Kipling and Jack London, the "Kipling" of the North. The last line about soldiering in Afganistan by RK, is chilling.

But I don't think, anymore, that "the Female is more deadly than the Male". I think the "Western Male" is is even weaker still, than in Kiplings time.

[KayEyeDoubleDee]

Kipling didn't write it. Ted Nugent did.

[RightOnline]

Kipling's right. Women can be unbelievably tough and vicious.......when protecting their own.

I pity the fool that ever deigns to seriously cross RightOnlinesWife. Trust me when I tell you that that would be frightening. Glad she's on my side. :)

[Sabertooth]

When the yuppie in his sportscar merges to the passing lane,
He wonders if the driver up in front could have a brain.
But the fender of her SUV will make his courage fail,
For the female of the species is more deadly than the male.

[Sungirl]

Unprovoked and awful charges—even so the she-bear fights, Speech that drips, corrodes, and poisons—even so the cobra bites,

I have to agree with this part...hee hee....I can cut to the quick real fast with my words.

[vikingchick]

And things are even worse for men, since Rudyard Kipling wrote,
For the female of the species now has got the right to vote.

Ah, a wise guy. Well, I'm starting a list, and you're at the top of it....Mister Man! :)

[JD86]

I'm sorry, you seem to be remembering a specific instance.
I was making a general comment....we never forget...as in remember forever.