"Bird of Prey" by Sierra July

Bird of Prey

Sierra July

Sword talon-sharp with glint of eagle eye,

Takeshi was ordered: Cut down your prey 

His prey were the weak, his prey were the starved

Those who stole to eat, while he killed to breathe

Though that didn't stop tears from spilling

Along with the blood of those he felled

Though he felt pain for his stifled brethren,

With feathers too oiled or screwed to fly

He, mere slayer, was just a bird of prey

His only solace was his victims' breatk

Eyes dark, hearts stilled, they would find their wings

And would return to the sky again

Poet's Notes: This is the story of a samurai, inspired by the many Edo period tales I've heard and loved, from live-action movies like Seven Samurai to manga series like Rurouni Kenshin. I decided on the bird metaphor to show the samurai and his victims are still brethren, while not blatantly saying a human is a human. Also, I like that while the samurai's prey were featherless or too sullied to take flight in life, in death they fly again.