Diverted (Poetry)

Just outside our window
about ten feet off the ground
a crow sat patient — idle —
looking around
as though he waited there
punctual and neat
for someone special
he had arranged to meet

The branch he sat on
gave a crowsnest view
of the carpark’s to-and-froing-
traffic coming through
people cats and dogs
small movements squirrel-wise
head cocked — nothing much escaped
those keen black eyes

He preened a little — fussed over
his fine-feathered chest
smoothed his wings to sleek
ensured he looked his best
and if he’d had a watch I’m sure
he would have checked the time
shuffling from foot to foot
when still there was no sign

He hopped to another branch
perhaps the better to see
any new arrival — a lone courier
delivering locally
but no bird. Crow gave a weary caw
flapped off like they might
have been diverted perhaps ...
or were on a later flight