Last Hunt

rendezvous affixed to the hunted’s prowl
riffled across the dreaded night’s scowl

commoners gripe over ambitions estranged
nobles reneg on allegiances exchanged

penitence preys on your right to despair
neglect strangles the few who still care

hardened by what we assume to be fate
conflating the cost of realizing too late

as canopies drop before the unseen
sheltered atop this matinee dream

© bb