A Stare Down

A Stare Down My entire day was saved (maybe more) By a smiling crow with a steel grip On a pine branch in a snow storm. I sat very comfortably at the glass door, Loving the teasing snowflakes, And sipping steaming coffee. There he was (or she was) A pointed silhouette In green and white winter salad, Flapping and bobbing-- A challenge to the winter storm. I tapped the glass and he smiled to a point And twisted to stare at me. Two can play this game, I thought. So, we played and played till the glass fogged. I wiped some fog away. He shrugged and smiled and fluttered away-- A shrinking dot in the marshmallow morning.