A  mystic raven, postcard trussed to its claws

a young unwed scandal holding her abdomen

 

both pray for a miracle, roaring thunder

lightening chuckle, the tree sheds its leaves

 

disembarking on a voyage, beyond the

afterbirth cartridge, the morbid father seeks courage in

 

bourbon, the raven takes shelter with

blackbird from Durban, evanescent pleasure holding

 

onto hope,

bitter hope.

 

—————-

 

A sorcerer awakens his wand, overshadow

abscond, the bride chuffed but

 

her hand, guarding the unborn heir

first-hand, faraway a ray flower births off the sword

 

of a fighting monarch, a raven looming above in a

ellipse dark, finally last enemy abed among corpse

 

and blood, information imparted – the Prince married

in scud, that too to the pregnant country wench

 

without his blessing, the king livid

yelling, but none matters now

 

mission accomplished, the raven famished

his course altered, he flies back to its blackbird.

 

——————–