A hawk, wings outstretched, soars
majestically through a clear blue sky,
caught in the currents of the wind,
swooping dizzily as it eyes the field below,
looking for the next prey
upon which to crash down
and snatch into its primal clutches
for a light snack.
A cottonmouth snake, three feet long, swims
through the river beneath the bridge,
slithering its brown-splotched, scaly skin
toward the next victim
that it will stealthily
slash into with its venomous fangs
to satisfy a natural craving.
I walk along the roadside,
smiling at the hawk,
admiring the beauty and grace
with which it flies.
I stand upon the bridge,
cautiously eyeing the serpent,
understanding that soon enough
a less careful creature
will no longer be breathing.
I head back home,
hungrily moving in anticipation
of the next meal
to fill up my own belly
as this dog eat dog
process plays out as it must.
