Seven Ways of Looking at Crows

1.

Over the lake

two crows call to each other

unsung melody between them

2.

Walking at the road edge

two women rejoice 

in the grating voice of a crow

3.

Grey, black; a spot

on the green, silent lake

a crow in the early morning

4.

Joy in the rough caws;

crow is her companion

before dawn breaks

5.

To all the chirping birds

she prefers the crows

tricksters of the unknown

leading her into the mists

where hills, castles, and orchards

take shape

6.

There was a time when a crow

was a man, a prince, a villain.

The gods punished his pride

with wings

7.

When the hermit dies,

a crow is close by. And then

the man can rest

forevermore