Five Crows in January

I have been shriveled in the cold

for a month now it seems

just hanging around wretchedly

like the leaves on my rhododendron bush.

Being too apathetic for a trip to the Bird Watcher’s store

I filled bird feeders

with cheap seed from Stop and Shop

much to the disgruntlement

of my finches and chickadees.

But today five crows arrived

important in their black suits.

They stalked under the feeder

ready to vote on a delegate.

The chosen envoy flew to the feeder

in much flurry and exaltation

shook the feeder with gusto

sending seed flying to his waiting friends

while I watched from the window

and smiled for the first time

in January.