Vultures all, waiting
hovering above
making sorties
as the lone, desolate man
makes his way across
the vast expanse of barrenness.

Carcass’ of animals, humans
punctuate the land scape
indicators-
of a life force
that once was – but no more.

With each step forward
his feet’s get embedded
deeper and deeper
into the sinking sand.

Vultures all, waiting
eager,
to gorge on his flesh
pick on his bones
yet cautious-
least he protest, show some fight.

Last seen,
the man was still headed forward
a mere speck
too small and insignificant
to have blazed a trail by his own
but a closer look reveals
a leading line-
made, not of his entrails
but by his footsteps
each step – a foot forward.

Vultures all, waiting
hovering above
making sorties…
playing out the waiting game.