A Raven, Too

A raven circles around my thoughts

And another my memory,

Silvery black like a glittering omen

For turning a loss to victory

***

Judged for their mystery and explored for their depth

Admired for their wisdom’s breadth,

Their raspy cawing and mischievous mirth

Remind me that death is a phase of rebirth

***

My wondering head, they circle inside

As I ponder life and truth

Awaiting the day when society finds

That I’m a raven, too

***

Knowing now how the humans paint us

With a brush of blackened lies

Darker than a piercing scream

For unforgiving skies,

I feel my wings begin to melt

As if I've flown too close to the sun

Watching smiles form in the crowd

As I’ve nowhere left to run

Tornado winds in my eardrums

With the whispers that I’ve heard

Forcing me to tune to myself

And tune away from the herd-

Like tar my coloration bold

A classy way to fall

Closing my gaze to reputation

Not watching the crowd, at all

***

Eventually I’ll hit the pavement, a splotchy bed of ink

As my feathers fall in beauty’s dance across the lonesome rink-

Committed to a self-respecting dive into oblivion

I carry myself, gliding true with a beak-defining grin

***

And as I’m falling, peaceful now

A raven enters my sight

With a silver nod of approval

And a conquering caw to the night

Forever I’ll wear his silhouette

Across my mending heart

Reminding myself that life is God’s

Most twisted work of art

***

Forever I’ll wear his silhouette

So no one misconstrues

That I’m the silhouette I wear

That I’m a raven, too