Raptor Warrior Poem by Alexander Beebe

The raptor's perch upon a cliff
Transmission lines or lofty tips
Until such time a keen instinct
Alerts his eye to take to flight

The upper deck where wings take sail
Upon the breath of heavens wake
The raptor knows all to well
The outcome of his earthy take

A phantom to what quakes below
The talons of their ghostly foe
For knowing when the strike may come
Eludes the prey his bounty's sum

The shade of brush or timber flocks
The arroyo cracks and polished rocks
No place to hide upon the floor
When falcons fly and eagles sore

Let nectar be the due reward
For wings that hum and pause in flight
Let worm and seed be sacrifice for
Feathered friends that sing at night

But warriors have their lofty aim on
Prey that run or swim in streams
The feast on earth that heaven gives
To talons sharp the raptor's dream