The way the sea lion
thrusts its slick body
into the ink stain
cloud of fish-
snagging perhaps one
or two
feels successful-
As does the damsel dragonfly
darting into plumes of gnats
dissipating like dust motes
in the slanted October sun
devouring one at a time
determined to dine until dusks end.
The jumbo jet pierces the jeweled
sky, stirring low sounds and tearing
a hole above
carries bodies
aimlessly, defying time and gravity
yet the traveled disperse
undone.
For just one
the chase was everything
but effort
whereas above,
so below,
there was always more
or less
grace
with a predator
and its prey.
Painting by David de Coninck, titled 'A peacock, turkey, rabbits, and cockerel in a landscape' c. 1659-1701 in Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
