In this December 2014 photo, ravens keep a close watch on the lunchtime visitors in downtown Juneau. (Michael Penn | Capital City Weekly File)

In this December 2014 photo, ravens keep a close watch on the lunchtime visitors in downtown Juneau. (Michael Penn | Capital City Weekly File)

Writers’ Weir: The Two Sides of a Raven

A poem submitted by reader Amy McLeod.

The Two Sides of a Raven

(A Reverse Poem: Read from the top down negatively and then bottom up positively)

He is simply a problem causer

It’s preposterous that

He is also gentle and playful

It’s no surprise

Being a shaggy-throated intellectual

His side glances

We will continue to discuss

Sandwich-stealing and mimicry

Being more significant than

His guidance and teaching

I think it’s true

His link between ocean and trees

But we should not question

The crows warnings

The hungry, mischievous, raiders

Of their robbing and fighting

I won’t be persuaded

To trust this protector

Because

He is conniving

And it’s a lie

He is symbiotic with wolf and bear

It is evident that

He is an unfriendly trickster

And foolish of us to think

He is an unfaltering spirit

And all of this is true unless we reverse it.

(Now read from bottom to top)


• Amy has been writing poetry about Alaska and her love for the local wildlife for many years. She challenges herself with poem styles and enjoys adding a little biology to her poems from her background as a biologist. The Capital City Weekly accepts submissions of poetry, fiction and nonfiction for Writers’ Weir. To submit a piece for consideration, email us at editor@capweek.com.


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