my brother’s messengers

by Pilar Montes

my brother, lies between life and death

foreboding the end is near

desperately want a sign, a message

my brother’s messengers are birds

caw, caw

   caw, caw, caw

       what a ruckus!

crows frantically darting to and fro

caw, caw

   caaaaaw

frenzy continues … 15 minutes

a high-pitched haunting scream – a bird of prey

  then shallow screeches

crows disperse

   battle over

       foe defeated

my brother

   the warrior bird of prey

      fighting to stay alive

   but

       illness prevails

distraught

   seeking peace,  I walk along a hillside

silence

black turkey vultures flock and soar

     performing a solemn ballet

calming and quiet

perched nearby

   a large gray turkey vulture looks at me

  ‘hello old fellow’

   he acknowledges me

my brother

  the large gray ‘old fellow’

  farewell  in peace