NewPoetry

Laurie D. Graham

What does it mean when the crows are quiet, the wind blowing the wrong way
Apron or flag with green emblem or ripped sheet flailing in the tree
What does it mean when the roost is this sparse
One crow calling to the others from above the factory
Cheeks stinging as more weather barges in

I have been living in their roost without knowing it
I live in their carpet, milkweed seeds whirling into the eavestroughs
I like thinking of this as the start of a new year
The sun shining down at such an optimistic angle

To human eyes the flag is flying with intent
The crows bounce their calls off the walls of the houses
They twirl together, offer greetings or news as they pass
Is roost the right human English word for them together in the trees

Should the word be family instead, should the word be society
In storm they become more and they become louder
Today I walk through blizzard to hear them in full
To my ears it’s deadly serious what they’re saying
The snow piles up against the windows, the wind brings more calamity

I will add two small beds in the back of the yard and a larger one in the middle
I will grow squash, beans, sunflowers once the snow is gone and the ground warms
I will make a new design for the crows to examine
And try to be ready for what weather comes next