Patience little girl
Tedium bludgeons me here
Waiting in nature's patient grave
Lost among the roots and worms

My joy is killed here
Upon the leaves and frost
Of the forest floor

One drip of red
Standing crimson
Against the autumn hues
Stains last thoughts
Burning images in the aftermath
The media's watchful eye

She screamed here --
But it's silent in my head

Flocks take flight
The sound of the shot
Reverberations echo long

Stars spin
Eyes blur
Last gasping breath, escape
Saliva strand,
stained and dripping strings
The vibrancy of life
Departs

Silent now

Falling
With the leaves and
Flakes of first snow