2006/twocrows

Two crows sit quietly
on the eucalyptus branch,
uncharacteristic behavior.
They alternate picking
at the bark,
their backs turned to each
other like a quarreling couple,
When one of them flies away
the other one caws, then
moves to a higher branch,
pecking leaves free and
letting them fall to the ground.
He has a smaller branch to himself
now, and seems determined
to tell everyone about it.
Crows are clannish
but seem hard to get along with,
like most people are.
They gather together,
excuses and alibis at the ready,
why they can’t stay longer,
why it’s been so long
since they’ve called.

7/13/06