At daybreak, a crow was finishing his breakfast of worms
When a robin flew down and washed himself in a puddle nearby
"It's quite impressive," remarked the crow,
"You've greeted the humans at the same time every morning,
Even trying out some new songs.
It's pointless, but it's admirable."
The robin wetted his beak, brushed
Down his little wings, shook his tail
Keeping his eyes on the crow
Who chewed his meal slowly
"Seems like an eternity since they were around, doesn't it?"
He said. "Their young babes running
And shouting, filling up the roads and streets,
Shrieks of laughter night after night,
Who wouldn't welcome all that back?"
The robin waded out of the puddle
And began warming up his voice
The crow frowned
Every day he had dined at the same time
And the robin had come to prepare for his solo
That silly twinkle of light
Every day the robin had said
How important it was to keep singing
How he had sung when the humans had argued
When they had cried
When they had worked
When they had sat and held themselves
Every day the crow had laughed
But now, annoyed
"You think they've ever heard you?
That they'll ever hear you?"
He spat. "Or are you doing this for yourself? The lone torch in the night?
Why put yourself under such labour
When the rest of us are moving on with our lives?"
The robin ended his note
He sighed, watching the same dark eyes
"It is no burden on me, to at least offer some comfort," he said,
"If I can spare a minute of song
Whether it's heard or not
Whether I'm seen or not
Why not spare it? We do not save
Our deepest strength
For when we do not need it."
The robin flew off, the first arias
Of his symphony ringing out
The crow returned to his worms
The music in his ears.
@nepion_boreas17
