By
Scott Thomas Outlar
Satiating Urges
A hawk, wings outstretched, soars
majestically through a clear blue sky,
caught up in the wind currents,
laughing dizzily as it eyes
the field below,
looking for the next prey
upon which to swoop 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
snap into with its poisoned fangs
to quench a natural hunger.
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 toward a meal
to fill up my own belly
as this dog eat dog
process plays out as it must.
Sleep in the Bed That You Made
Lockstep
along the warpath
Heads down
taking orders
Attention
to the top brass
Salute
and kiss the ring
Massacre
across the ocean
No worries
just obey
Flags wave
after the mission
Dreams haunted
forever after
