They Came

 I heard a cry from a leaden sky

but there was no-one there

I stood for a while and felt nothing 

a drifting cloud

the cries were muted, muffled

gagged with silk scarves

while kittens mewled and

puppies snuffled

nowhere could I see the harpies

screeching

people shuffling awkwardly

life paths lined with dripping tears

eyes in clouds judging

ears in trees hearing

your confession

your collaboration,

as they came for us and

we knew, we knew

but what could we do

as leeches sucked our blood?