Wingtip to wingtip, they jink, trip
and wheel with a rhythmic beat.
They’re comedians, tar-stained
croaks telling bad jokes that tumble
like hailstones from the sky.
Morrigan, transformed, foretells fate,
her unkindness of ravens
the guardians who guide
our sorry souls to the afterlife.
Kim M. Russell, 26th January 2026
Today is Quadrille Monday at the dVerse Poets Pub; Punam is our host and we are writing poems of exactly 44 words which include the word ‘trip’.
writing in north norfolk 
Ravens are my favorite bird in that family… had not heard about the Morrigan, but I know the ravens of Odin instead.
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Fantastic, Kim! Loved, “They’re comedians, tar-stained
croaks telling bad jokes that tumble
like hailstones from the sky”.
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Bravo for this mythical mood, Kim
🎇much love
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Kim you gave these birds a character worthy of their nature. Great job.
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My favorite subject, I love love crows and ravens! They do seem to be apt at making bad jokes and playing and messing with other animals like squirrels in my nect of the woods. Beautifully done!
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How can I not love a poem about ravens! We mostly have crows here, but I love all the birds in that family. I love the thought of them telling bad jokes that tumble from the sky. “Did you hear the one about. . .? “😊
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Ravens are just the best and I adore this poem so much Kim. There’s no specific line I love how your words all come together. I have two Torresian Crows who are really as big as Ravens who visit every day at my bird bath. They always call out and I go to the window, and they look up at me, it is really funny. They were using the birdbath as a larder, leaving chicken bones to soak in it. I had to get two other bird baths for the other birds who visit so they could have a drink, wash and cool down. Wonderful poem that brings a smile!
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Crows & ravens are all we have at present up here. Great work!
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