Raptor Rapture Poem by John Stetson

With a fist full of daggers it descends upon its prey
Dropping like a meteor without the light of day

But no rocky harbinger, this bearer of last light
It's gift eternal night borne on the softest wing of flight

Envy, and wonder, consume the pondering breast
Was it oversight or blunder that left us so unblest

Since the point where first we leapt, we long have sought the wing
Yet clumsy sad contrivance is all that we can bring

'sif chitin brought to shiny curve, could match the kite its wing
Still our eyes reach skyward, as if prince had been king

Our reach forever past our grasp… we're left to pine and sing

Oh we can bring the night to those we deem worthy of rest
But soaring on the breath of life is not how we've been blest

But rest assured in this one thing we share with those of wing
Squawk, or screetch, or melody, we too, can laugh and sing

Breathe deep as though it be your last, and fill your soul with song
Then let fly with the breath of life… sing loudly, if not long