We supposed that the raven sought us out
And had some familial purpose
...
“O Captain! My Captain! ” (1)
You have such a memorable set of eyebrows
...
Mother runs across a field harvested of its corn. In one arm she cradles a wailing baby.
With her other hand she clutches middle girl who had no time to find her
...
It doesn’t feel routine as it’s only scheduled every 5 years
And believe me, the preparation is worse than the procedure
...
Born and raised in Iowa, she lived the second half of life in Hawaii.
She knew snow bitter cold as well as she knew a sultry tropical breeze,
...
“Eggs got us through the depression”
“We always had chickens”
...
I am the woman who sits by the river
Considering molecules of hydrogen and oxygen
...
I can give you my laughter to harmonize with yours
My chatter to encourage yours
...
To The Raven On Hurricane Ridge
We supposed that the raven sought us out
And had some familial purpose
As we picnicked on Hurricane Ridge
It came closer and closer still
Landing in an evergreen tree near us
Talons clutching a needled branch
Examining us with first one eye then the other
From this angle and that
Feathers dark and shiny
Awash with jewel tone tints
The colors of a prism
A pallette of oil on water
Slick, sleek, winged dinosaur
How long have you lived here?
How many generations are you?
How many high miles have you flown?
How many creatures have you seen?
And who has seen you?
You came to us that day
Two cousins, two women of a certain age
Sharing DNA and the history of a generation past
Meeting, finally, after many years.
Raven, did you recognize us as we recognized you?
We supposed that you are our mutual ancestor
Taken on the Raven’s cloak to listen in
As we belatedly befriended one another
To see your progeny, your descendents
To see if we are quick enough to recognize you
Quick enough to know that you are not a raven at all