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Red-Tail – an #improv #poem about a hawk

Trigger warning: the hawk in this poem and quote is deceased.

Redtail Hawk FeatherIn life,
majestic sky-flyer,
you inspired me

By flying
above it all.

Your ability to
soar, with or
without the wind,

Never ceased to
tell the story of your
journey

In tranquil
and terrifying terms.

I suspect
that your talons
ripped the life

From many a
tiny creature:

Some considerably smaller
than you and
probably a few

Who were your
size or

Even larger.
In death,
you continue to inspire.

For reasons unfathomable,
you called on us — we humans,
no matter what our

Walk of life or
view of the world —
to honor

Your carcass
strewn so sadly
on the pavement.

Redtail Hawk Feather HighlightRed-tailed one:
call us to a more
thoughtful life;

Bring us back to
our sense of
connection; and

Keep us mindful
of the beauty of
your ferocious and
tender ways.

~ spontaneously composed (improvised) by Stan Stewart
~ Copyright © 2018 by Stan Stewart and muz4now, inc. All rights reserved.