borne on tempestuous currents
only found above the howling winds
spread, sprawled out, wide-winged
and silently gliding
each feather an intricate
evolutionary mechanism
every manuevered movement
contained with meaning

stays aloft above the gale
at ease in jet streams
comfortable in these austere atmospheres
above white-capped mountains
and clouds
sees rippling water from miles up
dives down
seeks its prey with
ultimate satisfaction

Carlyle Miller
7/10/99