Coragyps atratus

The Black Vultures descend
on this dead Pekin Duck
who quacked his last “Aflac”
several hours ago.

Violent and vociferous
they feast on this victual
with gusto, as hunger and
instinct animates their actions
of wings and talons and beaks,
carrying-on, with no table-manners
and with rooming-house -reach
onto this carrion.

Two dozen or so at this feast
as I stare in wonder of fellow
animals whose instinct is all
and hunger a shared trait.

They leave,
I leave.
Nothing is left.

©TPuma/MMXVI