Part 4 | The Eagle

Climbing.  Climbing high onto the mountainside
Views of a city.  Shrouded in dawn
Pastel Pinks.  Baby Blues.  Ominous downtown skyline
Solemn.  Smog-ridden 
I climb.  Onward up the dusty path
Dried plants.  Riddled amongst the rock
Then.  On the trail ahead
Small smoke cloud.  Fanned by gentle breeze 
Glowing embers.  Unforgiving sights.  In these lands
The culprit.  A lowly cigarette
Gust of wind.  Ignites the nearby shrub
I extract a canteen. Douse the flame.  With haste

White stone.  Palace approaches
Perched.  On cliff’s edge
Prominent.  A majestic jewel
Overlooking the metropolis below
Three domed roofs.  House ocular instrumentation 
Revered.  A Landmark.  Here in the city of angels
The Griffith Observatory

Inside.  Scientific.  Calculating.  Planetary
Knowledge abound.  Gear abound
Notably.  An ancient telescope.  Shines in the corner
I gaze through the lens
Pastel blue sky.  Cloudless
Fluttering wings.  Exaltedly soar
Feathers waltzing in the wind
Coffee body.  White crown  Razored talons.  Golden beak
Soaring.  Soaring closer
Vanishes
Gusted wind fills the room
I remove my eye from the cool glass lens
There she is.  Perched proud on the scope
The Eagle

She speaks:

“Drifting.  You are  
No place to call your own.  Homeless one
Perhaps you settle one day.  Perhaps not
Ask this of yourself.  Not others
For when your journey comes to an end.  You must decide
A long way to go.  Much to understand about the world yet
Though.  My mountain might be ablaze.  If not for you
For this.  I offer my blessing.  One with no home
Go now.  Traverse our most sumptuous boulevard 
Adorned shops.  Lavish facades.  Glamorous 
Yes.  Homeless one  
Seek her out.  In all of her grace
The Peacock”