Whilst You Die

-For Hades, the crow We put you up high so the cats can't get you, But it is futile: you will die anyway. I know Death must come to all But he has been forced to your side too soon; And I know you are an omen of Death, But even you cannot escape it. I hope that when he sees you— Lying there in your broken body With your broken leg— That he takes pity on your frail being, And picks you up and holds you tight And kisses you all over so that you may feel loved For a final time. Around us, everything lives: And it is so quiet I can hear a slug Trailing across the plant pot. I am sitting here with you placed carefully on my lap, And I watch you gently preen your feathers Now and again. I watch the birds in the sky and I think How unfair it is that you are grounded, Unable to fly, whilst they take it for granted. They say crows can remember faces So, maybe, when I die, I will see you again And you will recognise me; Perhaps you will show off your new wings And I will get to hold you once more... But, for now, I watch you sleeping; I watch you breathe— I hope that you feel safe with me And I hope you feel some comfort Whilst you die.