the last trace of nightfall evaporates
with the approach of dawn
as fingers of early morning light
reach across the jagged landscape
in an effort to arouse the sleeping giant
from a deep slumber!

a murmur of sounds
of various and sundry modulations
from the multi-headed beast
betokens a tiding of gladness
(for all the rest of the world to hear)
at the approach of morning!

with each passing interval of time
the prominent peaks and near bottomless canyons
of the dry, windswept tract
(of a veritable no man’s land)
stand out in bold relief
against the smooth sky!

soft movements of footfalls
carry the life force forward
in search of a meal
while simultaneously up above
the birds of prey
circle in anticipation of a victim!

— matthew harris