A Crow Spoke to me Today

By Jacob Haddon

A crow spoke to me today
as I walked by its perch.
The black of its feathers clashed
against the new colour on the branch
recently awoken by spring.

The bird spoke, but I did not understand,
just continued to walk
a darkening sky filled my thoughts.

The crow called out again
with more urgency,
calling out over the distance between us.

I glanced over my shoulder
at the black staring at me,
not breaking pace,
thoughts only on storm clouds
and droplets falling.

For a third and final time,
the crow spoke.
It screamed its message aloud,

but I continued on
not stopping to listen to this little Iris,
not caring that I would wish
I had listened.