Corvid Dirge
May 15, 2025
Photo © copyright by Nathan Larson.
Corvid Dirge
The crows held a funeral today.
Gathered in the oldest maple tree
Set aside from the apple orchard.
The ceremony commenced
With organizing discussion,
Growing to wailing and cackling,
Retorting and alarming
For their brother, their son, their friend.
A final crescendo and then instant silence.
Wings spread wide for the dead.
The humid early evening filled
With the noise of crickets
Who had kept silent out of respect.
Mourners flew away one by one
Keening as they went,
Crying to the blue sky.
The body remained below,
a final gift to the earth.
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-nl