A Murder of Crows

The greenspace

is quiet

after the mowers have

moved through

taking their obnoxious

noise with them.

The cedar tree branches move

slightly with the breeze.

Small birds flutter

among the branches

looking for insects

in the bark.

Off in the distance

I hear a familiar

abrasive clatter.

A murder of crows

swoop in swiftly

landing on the

freshly mowed grass.

Some scatter individually

others gather

like a gaggle of

old men

talking smack about

those not in their clique

or rattling on about

their nemesis

the resident eagle.

These winged creatures

of the dark

feel familiar

to me.

Why is it

crows

get a bad rap?

Is it because they are

black

symbolizing

the underworld

mysterious and

foreboding

Signifying death

sadness and

distress

Sophisticated

standoffish and isolating

eccentric

dominant

Awakening dark and

depressing thoughts

Black is the result of a total absence

of light.

Is it their abruptness

that is misunderstood?

A crow's presence

is not silent.

They talk in ways that may

seem abrasive, loud,

blunt.

Their message

direct, dramatic, sharp.

Subtlety is not their forte.

Who are we to judge?

I was sitting on my back porch, and the crows were cackling as usual during the morning hours. Suddenly, several landed in the big cedars next to the deck and started screaming, flying from branch to branch as if following something, like a bunch of town criers warning the town of impending doom.

I looked around to see what they may be yelling about. Sure enough, they were warning me of the raccoon slithering through the backyard fairly close to where I was sitting. Our neighborhood crows know all about the raccoon gangs in the area and don’t appreciate them messing with their territory. Not to mention the damage they do to the neighborhood despite their cartoon cuteness.

Crows feed on carrion, dead or dying creatures, or scavenge for food readily available in streets and parking lots. Raccoons, on the other hand, are notorious for digging and making a mess in places not open to them, garbage cans that can easily be entered or tipped over, not to mention their burrowing skills under porches and houses to nest and raise their young.

I appreciated the warning from my crow friends.

The misunderstanding and treatment of crows reminds me of how we act toward people who drum to a different beat: unique, or blunt, or mysterious dark vibes make them unwelcome and feared. Human nature seems to be that we fear what we don’t understand. Assumptions are made based on appearances and behaviors that go far deeper than many are willing to go, which is incredibly unfortunate and ultimately reveals our inhumanity.

Crows are associated with the underworld and often seen as bad luck. A deeper meaning to explore is that death is a process of transformation: the end of one phase and the beginning of another. In that vein, crows are messengers of myths and legends, bringing prophecies of what is to come. A crow’s presence may indicate the shadow self, the unacknowledged parts of our being, prompting us to reconsider a perspective we hold too close, reminding us of the damage caused by negative ways of thinking.

I can relate to that because not that long ago, I had a crow fly close to my head as I was walking. I was startled, of course. But it seems I was being alerted or awakened to something the crow knew that I did not or was denying. I may be reading too much into it, but I believe in the power of animals and nature with respect to their influence on our souls and spiritual being.

Crows are known for their exceptional intelligence and ability to solve problems. In numerous cultures, they are symbols of wisdom and good luck, and a crow flying overhead is a message to trust your own instincts and overcome barriers.

I have read that crows following you find you interesting and want to stay close. It is their way of befriending you because they see you as having psychic abilities, or at least as understanding them.

My daughter, wherever she has lived, crows or doves come frequently to her porch or sit on the wires outside her apartments. I feel a strange level of comfort knowing they are watching over her. Her love of animals is sensed by the many creatures she encounters. The crows in her neighborhood have become familiar and will follow her as she walks her dog, Neo. She enjoys their company, the chatter, and the security they provide.

I appreciate my neighborhood crows in much the same way.

Crow Messenger: The image I have included along with this article is a painting I recently completed. A crow-like figure emerged without intention. I am guessing that, because of recent interactions with my crow friends, one decided it was time to reveal itself to me in a more spiritually visual manner. I welcome the appearance and what it may be telling me.

Thank you for reading.

Michelle

I have a favor to ask: please read, like, share, and/or comment on my posts through the Substack app. This helps the algorithm send my stories further, connecting me with new readers not on my email list.

Michelle Lindblom Studio

Share