Sad Death in the Winter Cold

and a five-year-old

Afternoon walk
grandniece and her great-aunt
scuffing through pine needles
peering at deer tracks
“Oh! A feather!”
and another
and another
and a bunch
and a BUNCH
where some sad bird
became some glad meal

How to explain?
Circle of life?
Nature is cruel?
Pillow fight gone wrong?
Do not be sad, because—

“Oh, some cat must have caught a bird”
as the young hand
grasps the older one
to bring her along
seeking things of interest

A nod to Harper Thorpe for the idea of the pillow fight explanation! Thanks, Harper!