that day
there were so many birds
screeching from their perches
their roosts burning
high above the world
burning
with a holy fire
they screeched
flailing about on singed wings
dancing like miner's canaries
flailing about
thrashing
in denial of death
but you
were a hawk
searching the horizon
taking it all in
all of it
everything
your keen eye
capturing  the last sight
of things
and with clarity
taking what was yours
out
and out
soaring
relaxed and focused
a sleek and beautiful hawk
rushing the world
as the street drew closer
reaching to you
you were free
to fly
free...

...and i salute you
my brother