Predator

The scavenger waits her turn,
Lets all others leave the feast.
Stays outside peering at the kill
Bloody meat, eaten with pleasure
Not for her, not for her.

She shuffles towards the remnants,
A scrap of sinew, cracked bone.
Eaten in fear and guilt
Full maw, sated hunger
Not for her, not for her.

The thrill of the chase,
The panic of the flight.
The terror of the prey
The joy of the hunter
Not for her, not for her.

One day she takes to flight,
Spies a runt, swoops down.
Bypasses bigger game
Strong prey’s a fighter
Not for her, not for her.

Finally the prey’s down,
Red blood, warm flesh.
But in her mind’s eye,
Terrified glance, torn fur.
Not for her! Not for her!

Days pass, hunger returns.
The wretchedness of a scavenger,
The ruthlessness of a predator.
Not for her. Not for her.
More an outcast than ever.