EVOLUTION
The squirrel’s brain, small as a walnut.
It must learn to measure the distance
from limb to bird feeder, to steal seed.
After acorns fall, it hides them
under oak leaves, in a bird house.
The crow gathers bright objects,
even quarters, to adorn its nest.
It swarms the sleeping owl,
pecks the hawk until it leaves.
On winter nights, the crow
sleeps in the pines.
Driving 55, I saw it picking
at the squirrel’s crushed body.
Crows wait until the last minute
before flying up. But this one defied
death too long. I closed my eyes, it hit
the side of the car. In the rear view mirror,
I saw its wing in the ditch. Tonight,
the cycle will begin again, the possum
scavenging the crow’s cold body.
Third Wednesday