Flapping desperately on the highway
Trying to escape its precarious position
In the centre of the outside lane
Strangely stuck to the tarmac
Black wings flashing deep blue
When catching the last light
What drew it down here?
What prevented escape?
A bit of victim blaming, I admit
Did this crow delay departing?
Stay for one last peck
of the warm flesh that caught its eye?
On-coming couples in cosy cars
Saw the distressed crow ahead
Feathers thrashing a syncopated beat
Each driver steering carefully over
So not to be the one to end the misery
Hopelessly hoping it might escape, as once they did
~
CLP 08/04/2023
Journey of Words 
Beautiful and eerie.
Thank you for reading and commenting, Donna. Funny what sticks in your mind as you travel, or at least, in mine!
Such a tragic poem. The poor crow was only attracted to carrion, probably hungry, and so desperate to escape from the tarmac – you captured it so well. I love the lies:
‘Black wings flashing deep blue
When catching the last light’
which suggests its demise,
and the well-observed:
‘Feathers thrashing their syncopated beat
Each driver steering carefully over
So not to be the one to end the misery’.
Chris, you took such care with describing this sad scene. The last line powerfully connected us to the crow. Beautifully done.