Red Tail Hawk

by Alice Woodrome

A tail flashes red when it catches sun
As he rides the upper flow.
The picture of grace in tireless search
For sign of life below.

Prize in sight, he condescends
Plummets from the heights.
Swoops upon a frightened thing,
And wins a clumsy fight.

Why is my soul so saddened?
Because for temporal taste,
A life so fit for soaring
Must be so abased.