THE SNIPER

 

From inside a dark den

I peer…

Through the trees,

To the waterfall…

The rainbow formed,

Bridging crevices;

And I wait.

 

He looks so graceful,

Like a panther stalking…

Like a shadow in black silk...

With a fearful eye…

Cautious...

 

Movement is minute,

And looking up he dies.

The sound he does not hear

Resounding down the valley.

Being swept away by

Wind and water.

 

Inside the dark den

I remain;

Seeing my own shadow

Clearly in the darkness.

 

What a sensation

Of elation it was,

Which now clings

To the echo as shame.

 

There are still trees,

And birds, and insects,

The sound of flowing water,

And wind tickled leaves.

 

Nothing is altered

As the body fertilizes

The ground where it lies…

We will both be gone soon.

 

A butterfly lands on a thistle,

And I see clouds moving

In a hot sky.

They will all be gone tomorrow.

Only I will see them.

 

I will become a painter

Of yesterdays scenes

As I age…

Still seeing my shadow

In the darkness.

With the darkness,

 my shadow merges.

 

Becoming

 whatever darkness is.

A distant light

That was extinguished

Long before its light

Was seen to die.

 

Like a star!

 

© 01/21/03 Colin Jones

 

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