Of Violence and Vultures

I know all too well
the scent of blood
taught to me by wolves
and the vultures
that follow their wake

Never said outright
but oh so loud
Implicit decree
to feed on flesh
Quiet directive

"You are a hunter,"
the wolf growled
"You eat what once lived,"
wheezed the vulture,
"that we too may feed"

I am a sparrow
I'm meant to soar
to see from above
that which lies low
or so says the heart

I am a sleight doe
moving gently
through the forest moss
I chew the grass
and give quiet thanks

I do not seek gore
to sustain or
otherwise nourish
Life begets life
but why so like this?

I am not so meek
as to not bite
Must I be bitten
to know when to
stay my hand or strike?

"Life is suffering,"
pontificates
ravenous vulture
all while the wolves
smirk and bare their fangs

The wolves, they tear clean
flesh away from bone
as the vultures soar
wingspan bearing
anticipation

The steam rises
from painted dirt
Ravenous bellies
bloated from
violence rendered

I sit on my branch
I stand on moss
I weep and weep and
weep until I
can't weep anymore

Flowers will bloom bright
on your new bed
while vulgar howls
and screeching caws
defile mourning

It never should be
so cruel as this
You were not meant as
wheat for harvest
Such a hollow yield

But that is the point
of their cruel game
to take what they see
as dominion
They hallucinate

You are not theirs for
mindless feasting
Ready horns and claws
Show the monsters
error in their ways

I know all too well
the scent of blood
taught to me by wolves
Now they know too
from experience

This poem was written in August 2025. Once again, I want to give a big shout-out to my dear friend Henn for proofreading and providing feedback. Follow him on Bluesky here, check out his writing here, and maybe give one of his excellent YouTube videos a watch here.

The illustration accompanying this poem is a bespoke drawing done by the beloved homie Simon, aka smallpox. Follow him on Bluesky and see some of his art, and check out the clothing he has worked on and designed as lead artist at the apparel company Steady Hands.