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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I just love Celtic mythology and the thought of a goddess transforming into a raven. Glad you liked it!
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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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Thank you, Punam!
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My pleasure, Kim.
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Bravo for this mythical mood, Kim
🎇much love
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Thank you, Gillena, and much love to you.
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Kim you gave these birds a character worthy of their nature. Great job.
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Thanks so much, Lisa!
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You’re very welcome.
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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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Thank you, Merril. Your comment made me smile.
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You’re welcome, Kim. I’m glad it did!
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Love me a black bird! thank you. Jink! what a great word. I want to learn more about this Morrigan…is there another poem in that for you perhaps?
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Thank you so much for reading and commenting, Catherin. Morrigan is a Celtic goddess. I’m a lover of Celtic mythology.
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Unusual and great name for a goddess!
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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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I’m delighted you like it, Dianne. There is so much mythology connected to corvids, and they are such intelligent birds.
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Crows & ravens are all we have at present up here. Great work!
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Cheers Ron!
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What an epic story to convey in forty-four words – wonderful – Jae
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An epic and expansive tale! I loved it.. Jae
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An epic and expansive tale – I love it! (having trouble commenting so apologies if this is a repeat) Jae
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Excellent Kim. A fantastic macabre trip with fun feathered fowl.
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Thanks very much, Stew!
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I love Ravens – the way they jink and joke their way into the Morrigan’s shadow gives the whole piece a lively, enchanted pulse
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Thank you, Willy.
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I love the staccato beat, the couplets, and mostly … ravens! Marvellous birds.
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Thanks so much, Marilyn.
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Your ravens are quite the characters how they jink and joke…good one, Kim!
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Thank you, Lynn.
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Who wouldn’t love a raven who can crack jokes with the best of ’em!! I also love the Goddess in your quadrille. Latin in high school one of my faves, mythology too!
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Thank you, Helen!
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Ah, that trip, in which case a Raven would be my welcome friend.
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Thanks Paul.
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