Vietnam: the Eagle Has Landed

Graceful predator perched on the precipice of woe
Your satin crown, ebony feathers cannot camouflage mision of misery you'll sow
Your balmy wings caress as dark shadows grow
You sharpen your talons lethal grasp your helpless prey to show
But only quicken the hearts of foragers nestled below
Shrill call does not alarm wary prey; only emboldened, novel defenses bestow
Slower prey their extended units disband; bountiful feast now in escrow
Stealthy ears pick up the feigned, stressful calls of dispossessed lying low
The harried remnant recedes into veiled canopy with their cargo
Confident dive bomber, you plunge into the shielded canopy mayhem to strew
Only to have pleated wings torn by thistle, thorn guarding the undertow
Injured, but deadly weapons your armada still doth tow
With sharp beak you shred the stragglers who venture into twilight's afterglow
With bristling talons you scratch and claw causing stiffened backs to bow
But their desire to live trumps marauding havoc laid in stow
Shorn of limb but not of hope, scurrying from nest to nest to and fro
Storm clouds gather over Dover cliffs; thunderous chorus from nest doth bellow
On the sparring range, a docile, prevailing wind no longer doth blow
Wearied from long chase, depleted eagle from bleeding strand doth go
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

Poem

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Brown Avatar
August 11, 2011 at 11:38 AM
Your poetry has amazed me today Stephen. Thank you for posting it for us all to read and enjoy. Hoping you have a wonderful inspiration filled day. Love, Carol
Baity Avatar
August 11, 2011 at 9:22 AM
wow...this is a great piece Stephen.. well penned ....thanks so much for sharing!!!!!!
Sweetheart Avatar
August 10, 2011 at 3:30 PM
a grand synopsis Stephen of war and death and created brilliantly luv..
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