Seen And Heard and Noted On The Fly

The hawk swooped and scattered

congregated birds at their feeder.

A lone squirrel screamed.

It was lifted, clawed and bloodied.

A silent cardinal watched from his treetop perch.

Sparrows fled. Defiant jays did not. Doves took cover.

Waves of crows dived and circled above.

Caw caw caw.  Caw caw caw.

The hawk flung its prey on the shingled

roof, shreiked, tore, and shredded

The lone squirrel was not yet dead, but silent,

and the vultures spread their frightful wings.

Sparrows, doves, a hungry squirrel returned.

The cardinal chirped his happy song.