the hawk pursued something
into the bushes
i didn’t see if what it was after
had flown or scurried
but it made it safely
into the thick underbrush
the hawk backed out
stood on the pavement
and peered into the grasses
willing its prey to come out
failing that it
flew up to a branch where
it could wait
patient
with the resolve that hunger provides
he didn’t move when
i took his picture
or the family of three
jogged by with their
youngest on a bike
raptor is like rapture
his orange eyes cold
for all their heat
his next meal in question
i wouldn’t fit in those talons
so didn’t merit consideration
Words and Feathers 