Eagle
Nowhere, but in the body’s every filament
Everywhere, except where the seagull’s eye flickers
Somewhere, but where are the keen cries of the eagle?
Where now flashes his lightning gaze?
Atop tall trees, or craggy ledges and peaks he rested
Preened noble feathers with twisted, gnarled beak
In sport and in play
Ferocious tyrant, lonely and beautiful
From cliff to cliff, from shore to shore
His cries resounded and drove fear
Into heart of small mammal, rodent and snake
Yet he was slain
By some coward for but little gain
Heart stopp’d by cheap got bullet
Or by hazard, strayed and stove-in his brain.
Now all that lies in torn ragged agony
No more to wrestle words by dint of dear passions
No more sunglints on dull sheen
Feathers earthly-bound, never again
Will the world resonate to his song of triumph
Instead the wind plays a dirge
The grey dawn is lamenting his passing
Soul flew and shattered against
Rainbow-robed mountainside, harsh and aloof
Leering, peering down from heaven’s roof
Hubris of the Gods, to turn thus but a wraithe
Which striving smashed that which was so strong.
Copyright © Christopher Hudson (2025)
