crows in a murder
on a birch tree limb
while sun screamed
through half-opened blinds
painting my body
in warrior stripes

I rose to the window
exposing myself
to the ancient oracles
and swept celestial trash
from my night of terror

embarrassing the seven
silently tip-clawing to
to the end of the branch
fled in single file sortie
tearing the sky to halves

but one

familiar with indignities
like the indignity of man
crowed his departure
beyond reach
and beyond language

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Artwork and Poetry by Barry Burgess. Art: ‘Sharpie’ fine and broad point permanent ink and watercolor on 8.5″ x 8.5″ 140 lb. watercolor paper. The work is inspired by a historical American Sioux Indian, Chief Little Crow.