Crowspeak

By: 

Cameron

Houston

The pandemic has thrown into stark relief, the inequalities and inequities of our society. The only forward is in cooperation rather than competition. Cohesion rather than cohabitation, this poem seeks to promote that.

Hysteria was spinning
paranoia seemed like winning
So I headed for the river and for peace

The sun was gently warming
Muddy paths had firm bits forming
And the crows had much to say amid the trees

A clearing with a log round, found I
Sat upon the round and found my
Self within the middle of debate

With rapid fervent beaking
One to another speaking
The crows it seemed had something to relate

With the hush of an eavesdropper
Trying her best to listen proper
I strained my ears, their converse so to hear

Then the background swiftly muted
And as if my brain rebooted
The message suddenly was crystal clear

This is your time humanity
Please take this opportunity
To band and build community
To cultivate your empathy
And spread it round us liberally
For we are all one family
We cannot let society
Disintegrate and atrophy
Let’s bond in sacred unity

Caw.

More from Poems

Heathrow Airport Toilets

Heathrow Airport toilets are composers: their overture is largo: Their instruments are the echoing footstep, the...

HOW TO BREATHE

This poem was written during lockdown last year. I am lucky to have my local park,...

Moments

Moments of connection were so precious and effort was made with a simple smile in unexpected...

Become a Member

Our Members are champions of literature. Their support makes our engagement work in schools and prisons possible and they enable us to celebrate literature in all its wonderful diversity. As a thank you, we give them all the joys of a literary festival and book club rolled into one, all year round.