Survival of the Fittest

Glowing bright as a living
flame against the frigid stark
whiteness of the landscape,
the wary cardinal is patient,
lingering on tree branches,
hovering over the temptation
of seeds and nuts awaiting his
selection. Alert to danger, he
flicks his head to either side,
and waits. Tiny chickadeees
equally vigilant, flicker similarly
from branch to winter-nuded
twigs, to finally surrender to
the appeal to staunch their 
hunger. It is best that they
remain on guard, for they cannot
know that the ravaging beast
that stealthily stalks them to
oblivion is not as immune as
they to nature's climate excess.