Crows

THEN, suddenly, I was aware indeed Of what he said, and was revolving it: How, in the night, crows often take to wing, Rising from off the tree-tops in Drumbarr, And flying on: I pictured what he told. The crows that shake the night-damp off their wings Upon the stones out yonder in the fields, The first live things that we see in the mornings; The crows that march across the fields, that sit Upon the ash-trees' branches, that fly home And crowd the elm-tops over in Drumbarr; The crows we look on at all hours of light, Growing, and full, and going these black beings have Another lifetime! Crows flying in the dark Blackness in darkness flying; beings unseen Except by eyes that are like to their own Trespassers' eyes! And you, old man, with eyes so quick and sharp, Who've told me of the crows, my fosterer; And you, old woman, upon whose lap I've lain When I was taken from my mother's lap; And you, young girl, with looks that have come down From forefathers, my kin ye have another life I've glimpsed it, I becoming trespasser- Blackness in darkness flying like the crows!