Survival

Stolen blood hovers with entrail flesh
In glorious doves' testament beaks
Worshipped by vultures who gather
In the solemn words a preacher speaks
Give sideways glance as wings take feet
Spare no thought to the vestal breeze
Decay will never find its way
In gilded obituaries

We could fire poison arrows
At those bloody thieving doves
Swill bile from their gall bladders
As they flame down dying from above
But doves don't market bitterness
Scavenger seagulls barter in
Nor envy vulture counterparts
Imprisoned by the wind within

We both have the will to survive
Yet view it different, you and I
You see survival in living
I've already died

These winds which bring the doves to shore
Must someday bring the buzzards too
Waters below where eagles soar
Baptize the naked dead clean through
What is it you wish to salvage
Where mourning doves convene from flight?
Rage not against approaching death
It is darkness brings the Light

We both have the will to survive
Yet view it different, you and I
You believe survival is in the living
I've already died

 © John Kennan 3-17-21