the vulture's vision

i am not privy to the vulture
and like its own predatory gaze
i am vassal to the mystery of who
lurks beneath its wings
the tall, the gaunt, or the pious--
who hides the carnivorous mandible,
who conceals the strong talon?

meanwhile i, while perched upon a stone
have thrust between my neck a fatal blow
harpooned by thought and a septic soul

impaled upon the smallest thorn,
still festering the prick like a rotten vein