Osprey glides in, landing
on a high pine branch.
Dangling from its talons, a fish
flaps desperately, far
from its water home.
Osprey stretches
beats its great wings, eagle-like.

The bird clutches tighter, stomps
to quell the last flutter
and now, lord-like, surveys the scene:
sky infinite blue above, warmth of sun
on its wind-swept feathers.

A short flight to a nearby tree,
quarry hanging limp.  Crows caw,
watchful for what might drop for them.
The feast is intermittent–
a peck–
and then a scan of the horizon,
eyes always alert.  The vulture heart
always vigilant.