The Soldier and The Vultures

An exhausted soldier leans on his sword
On the bloody field of battle
A brilliant victory for the enemy horde
His men slaughtered like cattle

The setting sun reflects his rusty helmet
Reveals the dried up hurt
From his forehead a trickle of cold sweat
Runs down into the dirt

Friends and enemies scattered at his feet
Dead flesh rotting away
Vultures are gathering to feast on their meat
He watches in silent dismay

But alas, he cannot watch their pride
Eaten away by hungry bird
The soldier must avenge the ones who died
And drive away the vulture herd

In hopeless anguish he swears and screams
Runs amidst the dead
But the birds, they mock, or so it seems
Their wings they will not spread

To his anger the ignorant birds do not heed
He picks up stones to throw
He will teach them to control their greed
And scare away this bird foe

And now, his purpose has been fulfilled
As the red sun sets into the night
He has avenged those who were killed
And he gives up his life for the fight

© Sonja von Bell