The Vulture

you are rodents

with frayed feathers

cane-top beaks and

hunch-back postures

 

lusting for decay

 

you feast upon the flesh of the dead

circling the skies with grim intent.

 

you are not beautiful

or majestic—

there is no melody in your soul

to soothe the hearts of children

 

but you are faithful.

 

humans are the evolved

the intelligent

and the emotional

 

yet you have perfected commitment.

 

you are nature’s derelicts

but masters of tethered souls and kindred spirits.

 

you live the human vows: till death do we part

with honor and fidelity

while we make promises of forever

with crossed fingers.

 

you are the vultures

lusting for decay

but with unbreakable bonds

 

and we should be ashamed.