Without You

i recall a crow as black as
pickaxed coal
frantic on dampened ground
the sound of its distress
playing along
repetitive on scratched vinyl

the early air disturbed
a lifeless mate
its fate sealed by a passing car
beside itself
hopping in first stage grief
the leafy canopy overhead
wept in silent sorrow
shedding its red maple leaves
in autumnal sympathy

tomorrow it could be you or i
he said
i can’t get my head round
thoughts of losing you

i remained quiet
but took the hit
an avalanche rumbled thunder
i stumbled on that morning after
that morning after pain …
knowing that nothing …
nothing would ever be the same