The Language of Crows
for Aaron
When you are far
I hear you in the language of crows
Calling dawn into the lightening sky
Inky night distilled
Into feathers, wings
Onyx eye
In memory I see you
Clamber across branches
After chittering squirrels
And teasing crows
Watch your feet, I say
A talisman against broken bones
The little boy has flown
Now you can name
Every muscle and bone
That held you strong
High enough to see
The whole world
As you perched
in the maple’s canopy
You are fully fledged
Now the mountain holds you
Bestows its old knowledge
To your fingers, your sinews
Listen, it says
I will tell you
What you have always
Wanted to know
In the language of seasons
Of tea
Of silence
When words fail
I still hear you
In the language of crows
(Published in Pooled Ink, 2014)
