Harriers of Ra

Hawk is hunting

in the back yard again

Perched in the middle 

of the cherry tree limb

Hidden in the hemlock

scatter sparrow and wren

Squirrel clings frozen

Statuesque and grim

Seed gatherers abate

in silent apprehension

 Cardinal sentries wait

 Unafraid of him

All the while

the
 lantern eyes
of the black cat
within

Stare with stoic calm

in the Egyptian fashion