What Crows know

Crows only have one song
which they repeat constantly, all day long-one hit wonders
in their black iridescent suits;
unlike true songbirds who humbly learn from their
parents to imitate a 40 song-at least-repertoire from
the best of the birds around them. Still, crows-
they know their own song well enough
to be crows, which may be enough as a solo artist to make it.
They know squawk really well. And scatter,
at the end of each painting-as Van Gogh knew. And, like their cousins
the grackles, how to take french fries off a picnic table
while you’re not watching. And how to steal
cat food at night. And to serve at least Edgar Allan Poe’s poems with
their singularly unique squawking flight.
Crows know, at least that much.
Ok crow, squawk on. Maybe
your brazen glory will win the day.
But, i’m for the songbirds for the distance,
And the sheer entertainment alone. Still,
One song, sung well, consistently can make
A mark on our days-for sure. Thanks Crow.
I’ll promise not to scare you off as quickly, next time.