I read a description of crow behavior today by a far flung friend of mine. Well, an acquaintance, maybe, though I wish she were a friend. Some of my interests and behavior may appear a little dodgy, in fact, as I tend to squawk without warning sometimes, often chasing after moon beams and lost causes, which can put some people off.
She was right about the crow's varying dialects, though - south of the Mississipi {at St. Paul, i.e.), I can detect a different inflection in their voice and language. And the city crows compared to the country ones, too. More raucous, though not what I would find entirely disagreeable.
In the day, family members and neighbors would complain about the crow's early rising habits, but I welcome anything that harmonizes so well with the trains in this town built from the rails, often on the cusp of dawn in the quiet solitude before a brazen world wakes from its slumber. Maybe their calls are a greeting, though more likely a warning, or perhaps they call to one another in an attempt to spur some confidence and strength to face another day. And I usually take heed when another loner bird speaks to me, which quite mysteriously happens from time to time - well, most times, I do.
once, the old crow
gave me a sign;
I should have listened
;;;