Effortlessly winging
on invisible thermals
high above
prey below
the raptor's natural dominion
steely talons stab
the surprised heart
taking rightful
sustenance

mundane predator
nicotine stained talons
among his prey
innocuous
invisible
rents in the fabric
of earthly interaction
grooming
grabbing
stealing
innocent mouse lives
feline precision
stunning his prey
sustaining breathing game players
with
chipped hearts
clipped tails
tight lipped
quiet mousy boys
in the shadow
of the predator's
earthy thermals
invisible
safety
assured with the stolen mouse voice

in his pant pocket
stinking
gasoline,oil, greasy chicken
twitching mouse nose
knows what his
sedated heart fears
shedding dry invisible
tears

he comes back
again
and
again
summoned by
a window signal until
he returns on
legs of betrayal
seeking
touch and predator love

unconscious
on broken knees
on the smelly
tool shed floor
eyes up
mouth open
viewing his depreciated soul
as merchandise
in the cheap
toy section of
woolworth's five and dime
eyes closed now

...and WALTER was his name-o