Yes.

Yes, I saw.

I witnessed

the whole sordid affair.

Long hours

he must have waited

there with all the patience

of saints and thieves,

and when, at last,

identified his mark,

he burst from crisp green

turning shadow

forward,

toward her

and –

with the clever curve

of yellow blades and

piercing efficiency –

gripped her about

the throat,

cradled her —

almost tenderly —

within his grasp, and

swept her

up

across the street.

The gathered crowd –

those self-appointed

constabularies,

feathered blue and

white and black –

screamed alarm

Too late

too late!

(Ask them why

they hesitated!)

Gone.

She was gone.

Carried off

aloft.

Her dove-gray

breast pierced through,

her head –

unsupported –

lolling from

her slender neck.

Yes, I saw.

I saw it

all.

 

— C.Birde, 10/19