Crow
By onemorething
- 2507 reads
My heart is a crow,
its wingbeats, a pulse;
the doctor declared it
a medical impossibility, but
these pills are seeds, I said,
and this hospital bed,
the black earth.
Krähe, I called it - its name,
the bark of its sound, 'yes,'
I lie, 'yes, every morning now
seems to be a bright welcome
to life.' I am used to saying yes.
In laboratories, crows
have demonstrated their magic -
this is how I wield stone
to make water, this is how
I bend metal to make food.
A doctor diagnoses, and
I try to hush the night
sung inside my chest,
of battles and their fields
of dead, I do not tell anyone
'no', I understand cras,
I understand how to endure
today for the liberty of tomorrow.
Krähe is the German word for crow.
Cras is the Latin word for tomorrow, but Romans also used this to word as the call of a crow.
Image is from here: https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A_Crow_MET_DP802851.jpg
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Comments
Funnily enough Rachel, me and
Funnily enough Rachel, me and my partner were out for a long walk yesterday and I counted over 50 crows in one field, next to a field of sheep and lambs. I literally stood for about 3 minutes awestruck at just how many there were, it was like a festival gathering of crows.
Your poem gave clarity to that scene and like your poem was a tonic to read.
Thank you for sharing.
Jenny.
PS So sorry to read Di's comment. You must think my comment was uncaring, it wasn't meant to be. I rea;ize I read your poem wrong and now feel so bad. I hope whatever you're going through with your heart, that you grow stronger each day.
Take care of yourself.
Jenny. x
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I just love crows. I think it
I just love crows. I think it's all the mythology and lore that comes with them. Those last couple of lines seem to have particular meaning. All hearts should be crows.
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I know that feeling of a crow
I know that feeling of a crow flapping in your chest, is not good - you should tell your doctor when they ask? They will want to help
Take care of yourselfxxx
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There's something
There's something particularly awe inspiring about crows when I see them in my garden, close up - those powerful beaks, yet the noise they make to each other - it's not cawing - something gentler. I hope your endurance bears fruit onemore xx
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This is our Poem of the Week
This is our Poem of the Week - Congratulations!
It's also our Facebook and Twitter Pick of the Day
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A thought provoking poem.
A thought provoking poem. Please take care of yourself.
Crows are a wonder. My grandmother would keep the windows on her balcony open to allow these birds to come into the house; she welcomed their silent company when my grandfather died and they acted as sentinels, their voices loud when visitors were expected. If i see a crow sitting on the fence i know i have to put the kettle on!
bhi
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This is terrific, Rachel, and
This is terrific, Rachel, and I'm glad you're okay. Love thase last two lines. Long may you run -- or fly if you prefer.
Rich
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