The birds can be dreadful

I tried to catch a falling raindrop.
Instead a black bird landed on my tongue.
I knew that he was bad luck.
Stammering, his voice was changing,
when he asked me to come along

Where, is it that you wish to take me
I inquired uncomfortably.
Just over to the lush meadow near the trees.
Ah, the meadow, yes,
yes ,I’d like to go.
Just as quickly as he landed
he flew right off my tongue.

Trying to keep up was tricky.
He became a very small black dot in the sky.
Follow, I must. Summoning to me, I ran because
curiosity is my name.
Arriving was sweet
Butterflies and fairies,
were dancing through the trees.
A scent of flowers wafted universally.

There were toads on lily pads lazily
adrift. Ribbit, ribbit, ribbit
they did sing, a
most sacred lullaby.
Approaching my view was a tiny man
a crooked three cornered hat, atop his head,
with brown knee length pants.
A snug vest at his waist, pointy shoes and
decorative digits covered in gems.

He clutched a bag with an emerald drawstring.
Treasures and pleasures were sure to be within.
He asked, surely you know what’s inside?
I couldn’t help but notice how his sparkles
blinded and lured at the same time.
Of course I do, let’s unwrap your goodie-bag.
Fingers shaking, animation, domination
and a feeling of dread as I pulled
the cord; the container fell, revealing all.

I glanced at the man and saw the sneer on
his distorted face.
Fixed canary eyes looked at me
as the goblins flew passed my face.
I hadn’t noticed the pointed teeth,
due to his blinding light. Or the
smell of sulfur that reeked from every pore.
The black bird had cleverly placed
A spell on my senses,
the day that he landed on my tongue.

If ever a black bird
invites you to a land of greenery,
run, reject, refuse him.
Send him back from whence he came.
To lands unknown, dryness,
darkness, the abyss or
he’ll meet you there,
among the deceived.
©Janet Caldwell 2001-2007

The above text is copyright ©Janet Caldwell and may not be reproduced without permission.