The Crow

Upon the midnight of the fortnight On the first of the falling snow Came the Owl upon yon window pane Followed too by one black Crow The Owl said to the Crow 'Do you not know what time it is? This is night and not day Are you confused, Is it like this? ' The Crow he cocked his head He raised his beak as though to speak But instead he stretched his wings Pecked a moth upon his feet The Owl he said, 'What is it now Has a mouse he got your tongue? I will gladly take that from you For the night I fear no one The night my friend belongs to me If for food I never share But curious yes, I am indeed What is it that brings you here? ' The Crow he hopped along the sill Through the window he peered in Inside was the family of the farm All asleep and quite tucked in Still another word not said He ruffled his feathers and turned his head Quite content to still not speak Against his feathers he wiped his beak 'You take great chances', said the Owl 'I often prey on the likes of you If not for something other in mind Perhaps next time you will do I am the wisdom of all the forest night Sharp are my claws and quiet is my flight So stupid Crow who offers himself as meal The next time we meet, I promise, I will' The Owl he suddenly alofts high in the air He swoops down on a hen that was sleeping near there While standing on the hen and now devouring his prey He looks back at the Crow who seems to patiently wait 'When I am done', said the Owl 'My quite annoying friend If you still have not left It will too be your end' Suddenly from inside A shot it rings out A musket ball of the farmer It found the old Owl The Owl wounded He alofts to the trees But then just as abrupt He falls to the leaves The Crow too now alofts But lands on the Owls chest For the first time he speaks Before the Owl's last breath If true in wisdom you should know I a Raven and not a Crow The mark of death is why I come A soul it dies and it is done The Raven then he took to flight And in the moonlight as he did soar From the darkness he could be heard As he cried out, nevermore.