It was afternoon
and the asphalt road shone like a river of gold
in the fierce July sun,
a shallow flew low
hunting large beetles
that often crossed this road
only it was tired now
that its mate had disappeared
and it had to feed four shrieking beaks alone.

In front of an oncoming car
it saw its prey swooped low
got it but was too slow getting away
and was squashed by a wheel
only a wing stuck up of the asphalt like a shark fin in a sea
that promised nothing but endless dread!
And now a nest is silent.