The crows gather a few blocks away
scream funerary screams
I run to see
stare up into the bare branches of a sunset tree fruited with grieving crows

I look for a body
I don't see a body

CRACK

a sound resonates from the house with the yard with tree of grieving crows
they take to the air
the crows
circle and yell and come back for the funeral
I still can't see the body
I round the corner for a better view

CRACK

that sound again
a tiny explosion
what is it?

and then

the bird
the body
the fall
the limp wings
the lifeless plummet to the earth below

my screams of rage
first reaction
I run toward the yard where the crow fell

stop

I can't
someone has a gun

I run toward the door of the house where I heard the sound

stop

I can't
someone has a gun

I have to protect the crows

clap!
yell!
FLY AWAY

they continue to scream

no
stop yelling
look up

repeat the image of the falling crow with a message of death in my mind

they hear me
they leave
all of them
at once.
...

I am numb.

...

Why can't I feel?

the falling body
the falling body

the calm and tranquil mind

It is illegal to kill crows

I call the police
second reaction
the calm and tranquil mind speaks
with prizewinning influence
but they've never had a call like this before
I didn't see who did it
they'll see what they can do

my legs carry me up the hill
my arms carry a little dog
whose neck carries my wet hot sobs
the third reaction
I am so weak
I want to go back
collect the bodies

can't walk
can't make it home
can't make it home

I find the park
find a dark corner
the searing sword of devastation cuts into my throat

I sway and whimper
gasp and moan

someone's child

someone's partner

someone's parent

someone's friend

strength finds me
and brings me home
home to my bed of snot choke scream writhe powerless helpless grief

...
the crow falls
over and over
forever
...