sky sky below

below the carroty summer sky gentle deer stands witness wolves stir in their dens

bears forage for berries and nuts

on the edge of a pine tree forest

beside the rocky cliffs

above the blue winding river that sings

in the stillness of nearing twilight

they follow the trail to their nestling place

anticipating decline, but still unready

for the force of the wounding scene —

the chairs are faded and rickety now,

blankets muddy and frayed,

vestiges of too many years of unraveling and neglect — and as they glumly lift their gaze a lone eagle soars into view,