As the Crow Flies

Collected Poems

The connection between crows and people extends far back in the history of the world. Here in the Pacific Northwest, corvids (crows, jay, and ravens) are as plentiful as rain. They frequent our forests, mountains, and seas. Because of the close proximity in which they dwell to humans, they are very much a part of our daily lives. They scavenge in our yards, streets, and trees. They perch atop stop signs, telephone poles, and automobiles. They frolic at the park, bus stops, and grocery stores. Dressed in black with a fan-shaped tail, their song is a repeated, Caw, caw, caw. Not known for being picky when it comes to food, they are known to dine on everything from insects and fruit to Burger King fare and Chinese takeout. And when it comes to lodging, crows hide their bowl-shaped nests constructed from twigs, moss, and leaves in trees or on the ground. Crows are known for their intelligence. Prevalent in the mythology of Native Americans, crows were often referred to as tricksters. Their brains are large compared to their body size. Befriend or antagonize a crow, and he will remember you. He may even pass on his praise or complaints to friends and relatives. Crows can be mischievous, passionate, playful, wrathful, and social. They have been known to drink coffee, fashion tools, and lure fish just like humans. And so long as you dont get on their bad side, crows make pretty good neighbors. This collection of poetry attempts to simply preserve observations of Corvids as we pass through the various seasons in the Pacific Northwest. One need not look too far for the human element in these poems. It is my hope this book honors these wondrous creatures. Enjoy!