the prayer of the prey
the prayer of the prey
lying in wait the senses are focused as patience rewards
once the hungers are sated then arrives the time of rest
hums of breezes buzzes of locust whetting of the swords
the hunter and hunted slated to meet in the dark forest
a sudden leap a piercing scream then the silence returns
to taste the blood and the meat to relax over the bones
always wary in waking or dream recall the creased burns
as sharp claws and cruel teeth taught a lesson of moans
intoning the prayer of the prey when life’s circle is drawn
every movement needing care creeping quiet and unseen
knowing a triumph of yesterday tomorrow may be a fawn
to never expect that despair of what has yet never been
sleeping at night the ears twitching as thin eyelids flutter
imagining of the roles switching amidst the mind’s clutter