Signs

When a colony of gulls come ashore

Settling on the beach, tucked up, facing the seas

a storm is coming

When an owl sits on the roof of a house for three days

And a host of sparrows gather in the trees and bushes ‘round the house

a death is coming

when a single crow bothers you

landing near you, hopping after you

a message is coming

there are many messengers in the world

all with warnings and salutations, telling the traveler

a transformation is coming

at night around the fire the storyteller relates

the history of travelers and  birds

a lesson is coming

in the morning the sky is red

the gulls come ashore, and settle facing north

a cold wind is coming

waking at first light see the owl circling the camp

high in the sky at first, then gliding lower, looking for a place to land

a change is coming

men gather the horses, woman take down the tents

elders pack the tools of living, pack the horses

a new camp is coming

the sky says what, the birds say where

the elders pack without a sound, babies aren’t crying

a resolve is coming

horses all packed men sit and talk hunched near the remnants of  the fire

hiding their faces from the owl, watching the direction the crow flew from

a direction is coming

the men mount horses, mothers hoist babies to their backs

the travelers are ready, and follow as the crow flies south

a journey is coming