He felt her body with his long-clawed hands,

And called to her—a harsh, quick, startled cry.

She did not hear. One arm was tightly wound

About her little one. Both were strangely still,

Stiller than sleep.

He squatted down to wait.

They did not move all night. At dawn he stood

By that stiff mockery. He stretched up his arms

And clutched at the red sun that mocked him, too.

Then, out of his blind heart, with one fierce pang,