What they did

The praying mantis

Dragged what was left

Onward.

Stripped of wings,

Grasping arms,

and two legs short,

It kept going

In a noticeable direction.

The antennas

moving, sensing

Desperately searching

For the little monsters

who tore it apart.

Where is it going?

What part

of the instinctual

Skill set will guide

him today?

Is he dragging himself,

Searching for a quiet place

Where a predator

Will do the decent thing,

And put a quick end to this?

The kids are having fun, though

Their instincts are,

of starting out with small,

unambitious projects

Then moving on

To bigger game.

Wondering if later

they will take the next step

And dare each other

to eat the remains.