Synchronicity
Canvas of snow and ice, sunlight filters through clouds,
a deer shoots out from the crackling row of trees
skates upon the frozen pond. Terror filled black eyes,
hooves like ball bearings rolling slowly to a stop.
Legs like wooden spindles flailing wildly to run.
Desperation, entrapment, surrender to fate,
as the pack of coyotes emerge from the tree
line, instincts calculating movements, strategize,
a killing machine. Precision like that of the
finest clock, the pack moves in, circling, laser
focus, the dominant leader plunges for the
neck. Teeth pierce the hide like a hand through powdery
snow. The deer reaches for the shadow of one last
breath. With the grace of a twilight sky, birds swoop,
not just any birds, two majestic grand eagles,
bald predators, snow white feathered heads, wings spread
wide bearing authority, circling, observe
the prey. Landing upon the dead hide, talons sharp
as razors and beak used like a surgeon’s scalpel.
Scavengers feed upon mother nature herself.
Creaking from the lifting of the garage door, steals
life’s breath from my lungs like a gut punch. Shattering
my peaceful aloneness. Coyote enters. Eyes
black, cold stare. Observing the room, laser focus,
laundry unfolded, dirty coffee cup. “I work
all day, come home, a filthy mess?” Domination.
Seeker of power to satisfy his belly’s
need to rise above his prey. He feeds on kindness,
my human weakness. Crunch, crackle, heavy boot walks
atop the eggshells of me. Blows of words, twisting
of words, ridicule, never cease criticisms.
Million pieces of me scattered upon the floor.
Mother nature or human nature predators
kill, devour, scavenge, and feed on the living.
.
Debra J. Nordyke’s poem “Darkness of the Soul” was accepted for publication on 2/19/25 in the literary journal, Oddball Magazine. Additionally, The Writer’s Place in Kansas City, Missouri accepted her poem “Convex Mirror” to appear in The Writer’s Place Yearbook 2024 coming out in 2025, sold on Amazon. She is a current member of The Writer’s Place, Poets & Writers Magazine, as well as numerous other literary journals. Debra can be found on Bluesky at:
Stone Poetry Quarterly 