Black and White

Ahhh, the perfect grass.
Just right for me, Zebra.
Long, smooth, crunchy.
Who would have known it was my last meal.
Grazing the vast field.
The copper sun shines upon the glimmering grass.
I hear the nearby vulture crowing, searching for a tasty carcass.
I’m grateful that won’t be me.
Pleasant, calm, atmosphere.
Peaceful, no reason to be alert.
Then,
A rustle, a deep growl, a pounce,
Headed straight for me.
Then, pain,
Piercing my stomach,
Again and again.
I try to fight back, but know I have no chance.
The end of my world, a mess of black, white, tan, and red.
Once again, I hear the crows of the vulture again.
The faint cry becomes louder as the bird swoops closer.
I moan, and give myself up.
I feel each muscle go limp, until, finally my heart,
Dies too.
My last thought is,
Goodbye.

- Rebecca Larson

I Am Predator

Food is scarce for most animals.
But, for me, Lion, King of the jungle, I the predator, can find food.
Zebras roam the open plains
Elephants drink from the water hole unaware of their surroundings.
Soon, they will be prey.
I am predator.
I pounce for the zebra as it tries to run.
But it gets no where.
The wonderful taste of flesh bounds in my jaws.
One dead, more to go.
Another smell triggers my taste buds and sends saliva running down my chin.
I follow my nose to the smell, and find a vulture hovering over a dead gazelle.
The fight for food is on as I leap for the carcass.

-Talie Warner