A LITTLE MURDER

Eight crows sorted themselves

from the background,

settled on the wires

and naked branches

to sing a November song,

CAW!

Abrupt

Like this chill gust of wind

mustered from behind the hill.

my hand reaches for my collar

CAW!

A brown leaf skirls sideways

down the lawn

to snag on a nameless bush.

CAW! CAW!

The little murder has imposed

on my moment here

when I was thinking of other things:

bread milk, impending winter.

This inconvenient trip to town

lnterrupted by my fascination

for these harbingers

dressed in black who look down,

waiting,

waiting

CAW!

Watching me decide to play their game.

The sentinel in the top of that isolate

ole persimmon

rattles his feathers,

adjusts his stance

disinterested as I should be

in my quiet evening

focused now on things beyond

the plans I’ve made.

CAW!

A lift of wings,  

a fumbling for keys.

Gravel crunches on my way to the car;

the door chunks heavy in the silence

while I sit safe for a moment before

I pull into the night.

Reviews

[Lorry]

There is something a little more sinister when we think of crows as opposed to other feathered friends.
Isit their all black demeanour or their annoyingly simplistic noise that make outer teeth itch?
I knoweth not, but I'm guessing Mr Hitchcock done their reputation no favours, as their reputation can now be summed up with that'll wind blows" feeling that we all get when hearing or seeing them.
I firmly believe it is their non sing-song caw that is responsible. But then again, I ain't no expert in birdology! 😃

[Vol]

I think we subconsciously believe theyknow mor than we give them credit for... standing on their limbs looking down, wondering where they lost their powered wigs...

[Sami Khalil]

Playful crows I guess, watching the poet, disturbing his quiet evening, coming from an outing to the house.
Interesting description of them.

[Thomas W Case]

Tremendous work. Love the murder of crows. You nailed this.

[Vol]

It's always the little things, the quiet moments...

[Michael Sun Bear]

Thank you Vol for these, along with dogs and cats, are my favorite creatures in all creation. They are truly fascinating and more intelligent than many humans I know. I care for crows throughout the year, make sure they have highly nutritious food when we get really bad weather. You probably saw I have a crow poem here myself. Blessings Friend.