Long Raven Haiku for Tony
by Paco Mitchell
I watched a raven
On the parapet today
Solve the wind problem
If he walks in line
With the parapet, the wind
Will blow him over.
But he cannot drop
Through the dense, whipping branches
As on calmer days.
Today, he has to
Do the “parapet sidestep,”
As ravens call it
What is that? you say.
Yes, the “parapet sidestep”—
Beak facing the wind!
Ravens are not dumb.
By facing the howling wind—
He keeps his balance.
Wind whips the branches
And he can’t attain his goal:
Reach the suet block.
What’s his solution?
I just told you what it is:
Face the howling wind.
Or get blown over.
It’s a simple choice, for birds,
When it comes to wind.
They know what they are
Doing. Reach the suet block.
The wind is their friend.
Sidestep, if you must,
They will say to anyone.
But don’t let the wind
Get the best of you.
Sidestepping is no come-down—
For Masters of Wind!