The male anglerfish sniffs out his mate,
completely missing the light show,
her most alluring feature.
I think I get it now.
The glow is pretty
but meant for prey.
And I won't
be your
meal.
About the Creator
F Cade Swanson
Queer dad from Virginia now living and writing in the Pacific Northwest. Dad poems, sad poems, stories about life. Follow me on insta at @fcadeswanson
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
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The Ritual of Winter Challenge Winners
Welcome to the Winners Announcement for The Ritual of Winter challenge. This prompt focused on winter rituals and the meaning that settles into them over time. The top pieces stay grounded in ordinary acts and repeated routines, letting winter shape the work through pace, attention, and restraint.
By Vocal Curation Team2 days ago in Resources
Comments (40)
Clever, and insightful! I ❤️ it!!
Just learning about Nonet poetry. Powerful, you tell them -you won't be their meal. This will take a little learning - this nonet poetry.
Pretty, but meant for prey - I love this! Well done on placing 👏
Congratulations on placing in the challenge ✅… unique take on the challenge.
So powerful! Congrats on placing!!
Congrats! Great analogy and stellar use of imagery!
I’m sorry I missed this the first time around, RC! Smashing poetry and gut punch of a final line. Congrats on placing!
Such a wonderful and original image! Love it!
Well done on your challenge placement ! 🫶🏻😇🌟💜👌
I love your nonet - congratulations on your win!
Fantastic piece. I adore the dynamic between the larger, natural force and the personal. Both are juxtaposed so well. Congrats on placing!
Congratulations! Well deserved, what a punch that last sentence delivers <3 <3
Congratulations.
Congratulations!
Wooohooooo congratulations on your win! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Gorgeous and absolutely wonderfully written.
Great take on the challenge, perfect last lines, and also good scientific knowledge 😅
Congratulations on your Top Story! 👏👏👏👏👏
Lovely piece
The understanding that the glow is meant to attract prey rather than serve a romantic purpose carries a poignant message, love your works, subscribed.
Concise, creative, and strongly worded! Awesome poem here!
Ooh nicely done. Angelfish are so fascinating. I read in a museum exhibit once that the males attach to the females like parasites and sometimes permanently fuse into their skin… sounds like something from a horror movie 😅😅
Nice reminds me of the anglerfish in Finding Nemo
Wow, this is brilliantly menacing!! Congrats on the Top Story, this piece is AWESOME :)
I love just how much this conveys in such a few carefully selected words! 🩷