Wild Poem by Amy PattersonBocchi

Prickly, Pale, powder-coated pines.
Still serenity, tranquil solace.
Broad padded paws on impoverished plains-
Salivating desire for pursuit.

Fletched ears erect, charcoal snout raised in the breeze.
Hustle on the horizon, howl.
Pack at attention, pacing pawing-
Leader strides impatiently.

Earnest elk grazing, alpha commands chase.
Startled beasts leap to attention, lurch into motion.
Tan haze races against thundering earth-
Hunting pairs converge en masse.

Desperate elken energy expends, alpha advances.
Heaving hearts falter, stumbling, buckling.
Ravenous canines fall upon helpless calf-
Pointed fangs snap around its neck.

Hurtling carelessly into splashing snow
Frosted blanket tainted by scarlet splatter
Vicing, slicing, stabbing, gnashing-
Thieving the last ghost of life.

Growling, chopping, snuffling-
Sounds of successful digestion.
A life forsaken to sustain others-
The natural order maintained.

Beauty endures.