Pluck!

Commune, growing, side by side, one for all

Bonded by burden and responsibility

Years spent in pattern

When one should fall

Another will rise



When times were worst we stood firm

And held up the weight of the world

Strength in numbers bound us closer as one

In unity



Then, a change. A shadow. A beast. A claw comes forth

Hesitates, we knew not why

It strikes, it had taken aim



One of us taken hold

Their tight grip was broken and sent screaming into the sky



Those closest to them, fear had left them frozen

Only could reach out and cry

Another victim chosen, seemingly at random

All that could be thought was why



It felt like hours to watch them suffer

How am I still here? Our numbers have narrowed

So much, it's so wrong, unjust, and cruel

What have we done to deserve this fate



I could not imagine why I was not chosen

How I had been spared from this

Was I set aside for when the thing returns

Or was I left as someone better?



Who had the right to choose?

What had set us apart?

If the aftermath had answers

I could not bear to search for

The pain and loss too much to take



Those closest to them, fear had left them frozen

Only could reach out and cry

Another victim chosen, seemingly at random

All that could be thought was why



In due time the beast came back for us

One by one uproot the ones we love

Somehow I remain a witness

Pluck!