i should have cried.
we all sat impatient
brakelights and cigarettes
all about time schedules but
i don't mind.
engines idling and redirected
music to keep our thoughts occupied
off of destinations delayed and
the inconvenience of it all.
sirens wail for dual purposes-
loud lament and screaming danger
and then it is before us-
in a dark valley with sudden shadows
lit in red and blue and death
destruction feeding beneath the smoke
in skeletal fumes and smiling naked metal
crouched in greedy triumph
above his starkly mortal victims
twisted unnaturally, thick claws embedded.
yellow coats trying feverishly
to save dead men from the wreckage.
he turns and rears his black wings
above a blooded grin, inviting.
schedules forgotten now,
we feel the touch of his glance
and hurry away in cold fear
more cautious but hasty
and the plastic forms
lying still on the ground
run before our eyes and in our throats.
