Life!

High above the noble cottonwoods, spreading elms, and majestic pines hovered an ominous circle of vultures. Far below was the body of a disemboweled deer, the work of a pack of timber wolves the previous night. Soon the stench of decaying flesh ascended and permeated the air above the trees. Down spiraled the birds of carrion their black eyes coldly ablaze with the delight of the coming delicacy.  This was life for them. The cold, sweet, honey-scented breezes, the babbling, singing brook, the...