Two Crows Dancing in Winter

by Tom Lassiter

I am thinking tonight
of the crow and her mate,
iridescent black
against a canvas of white,

how rising in pair,
black eyes to first light,
they circle above,
wings beating the cold starched air

of winter’s frozen hush
over the stubble stalk field
split by the call-call
of their invocation

and alighting, preening,
fluttering glossy blue,
violet hued breasts
in late snow glinting,

they court
on cracked yellow leavings,
pairing, joining,
they dance, triumphant.