Rising waves of irid splendor, Floating crests of pure white foam, Eagles soar far o'er their kingdom, In this place I call my home. Airy whispers through the leaves, Pale pink minnows dart upstream, Through the hollow I can see him, Silent, watching me. His piercing eyes bore right through me, Sending quills into my heart, A single look from that great being, Stronger than the sharpest dart. A snapping twig disrupts the moment, In a blur, I see the gun, A shot is fired, the buck collapses, The hunter smiles; his prize is won. A sickness swells inside my stomach, Aching for the fallen deer, My sorrow rips my heart apart. But no, he cannot hear.