King of the Crows
King of the Crows
There is not much here for my kind -
arid fields, trees replaced by cell towers.
They flock and squabble
over rotted corn,
taking sides
in a war
about
French fries in a parking lot.
In my oily black cloak of office
I sound the call to collect,
to come together.
I am ignored by
those who have learned
that conflict
covers fear
like snowfall.
You have no time
to pay attention,
you are busy
with empty bellies,
hungry chicks,
coming winter.
I feel your pain,
fear your loss,
regret my role
as first of the fallen.
But I am He Who Flies First,
I am sworn by wing and talon
to bear your joys and your pain,
until seed falls from the sky
and so I do.
As I must.
------------
I would love to know what you thought about this piece.
Please consider leaving a comment.
That war over the french fries in a parking lot simply has to be won I think
ReplyDeleteSuch a haunting image, and imagery, you have used here!
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely fantastic! I so enjoyed this one, Christopher :D
ReplyDeleteThis applies not only to the crows but to humankind. Love this part best: that conflict
ReplyDeletecovers fear
like snowfall.
Even the king of the crows is reduced to feeding his flock thoughts and prayers...
ReplyDelete"conflict
ReplyDeletecovers fear
like snowfall."
Fantastic image. Grand poem. Luv the photo you teamed up with this poem
Much💛love
That last verse is really amazing and the finishing line perfect.
ReplyDeleteRegal words and so many burdens for a great and mighty leader. Love it.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this, Christopher. Well-written and wonderful imagery. It rings true.
ReplyDeleteLove this!
ReplyDeleteWow... this is amazing! <3
ReplyDeleteI love it! King of the Crows........I have watched them have a party in the back of a pickup where an unwitting tourist left his bags of groceries.........the war in the parking lot reminded me of that. I especially love your closing stanza.
ReplyDeleteFantastic write!
ReplyDeleteI love "oily black cloak of office" and "conflict covers fear like snowfall". It felt like it was about human wars too, as well as about crows. I couldn't help thinking of the Ukraine but also of any war. And the last stanza... so powerful. It's an amazing poem.
ReplyDeleteconflict
ReplyDeletecovers fear
like snowfall.... loved the way you've captured the mood .. and especially that line...
I love the perspective in this poem, He Who Flies First bearing his responsibilities. I am saddened by the struggle of the crows for survival. Representative of the greater struggle. I really enjoyed this poem. I love seeing things through the eyes of earth's critters.
ReplyDeletetaking sides
ReplyDeletein a war
about
French fries in a parking lot. - I love these lines so much