answering the false call
sirens sounded
the crows & ravens took off from their stations
carrying messages of survival in their dna
one arrived on my fence post
half a day after the warning
sturdy & stoic & talking in a language
only I would understand
of course he arrived prematurely
this much he knew
for the skies became more colorful
allowing me to admire the varying
degrees of darkness in his wings
within the hour he departed on his
own accord
probably to where the water was rising
leaving me to my one device
and my mixed emotions
september two thousand twenty-one
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
jdubqca 
I have always felt the inherent dangers lurking when warnings from our feathered friends are ignored, Jdub. xx
Thank you for visiting & commenting on this piece, Ann.