buteo


No malice in the kill:
The moment she reveals her beauty,
Flaunting line of jaw, arc of neck,

Curve of breast.
He hesitates, so she decides.
She says why not. She says yes.

She says, this is what I need, you
Are what I need, your
Brown eyes, your brown hair,

Your skin against mine. She puts
Her manicured hand on his arm
With accurate grace, a hawk

Accelerating, wings closed, primary
Sliding beneath primary
Like a folded fan,

Not bird but projectile,
Talons spread to seize
The unwary vole.


- Pat Valdata