they have stolen a kill

dragged it to a safe place

she grabs a battered stone

turns it seeing what is inside

with her mind’s eye

batters it again

with another stone long used for that purpose

until a long sharp piece drops to the earth

taking it

she first slices pieces of meat

for the hungry pressing close

then with practiced strokes

begins cutting away the skin

all will eat tonight

there will be more crude garments

the cold will soon come

so i imagine my earliest mother

deep in the darkness of time

Copyright Michael Douglas Scott
3/11/20