The Magpie and The Raven
A spectacle in verse
Daytime dawned and his call was there
A Magpie sailing on the morning air.
Black and blue, his feathers so sleek
He was looking for something to put in his beak.
Flying low with a swoop he scanned the ground
But there appeared no meal to be found.
Back to the sky the Magpie flew
A brief shadow on the morning dew.
Where would he go, I wondered aloud
But he had disappeared behind a cloud.
Back to my breakfast I turned with a grin
Wishing I could have let the Magpie in.
But look! In the front yard there was a Raven
For sure this bird would not be craven.
He pecked at something shiny and blue
What he was doing I hadn’t a clue.
He puzzled and thought and gave it his best
My mouth was agape, my chin on my chest.
The Raven had learned how to open a box
This bird was sly as the slyest fox.
The Raven seemed to swell up with pride
As he gazed upon his food inside.
Just when he was about to dive into his snack
That Magpie came back and launched an attack!
They tussled and sparred out there in the grass
I’d never seen something so gosh darn crass.
The Magpie was scrappy and soon it was done.
By George, that Magpie had won!
My breakfast was cold now, but I was transfixed
Even though my feelings were mixed.
The Raven flapped fast and left the scene
He looked forlorn about losing his cuisine.
With that it was over, and the morning was quiet
I thought to myself “what a riot!”
The showcase of nature had just borne out
I had seen something marvelous, no doubt.
I was buzzing with joy, my amazement was brimming
My heart was pumping, and my head was swimming.
I was so rapt in the moment that I didn’t even see
Another Magpie was staring at me!
