Rain Crow Poem by Barry Middleton

the rain crow feels the secret wind
that gathers in a distant land

beyond its southern woodland home
as gods and demons make a stand


from Africa across the sea
there stirs a mystic tropic breeze

with force of searing desert heat
and steam beneath the cotton trees


the rain crow knows the time has come
for soon the hail and lightening fall

its mournful cry throughout the wood
is warning of the coming squall


now in the east the storm will rise
to churn the waters near the shore

and I must thank the rain crow's call
as I take heed and bolt the door