The painful vigil begins,

In the background

The vultures start their death spiral.

Unceasing tears flow,

In the background

The vultures tighten their grim circle.

Anguished teeth grind in fear and frustration.

In the background

The vultures sweep menacingly closer.

Banshee shrieks herald in death.

In the background

The vultures greedily dine on entrails.

Stunned grief bewilderedly views the tomb.

In the background

The vultures glide away with sated bellies.

Joanna Ballard - June 20, 1991