Last night,

I was awoken by a raven

that had flown in through

my open window, and

perched itself atop my book-case.

.

Who is there? I cried.

Let me give you what for!

But t’wasn’t human that answered.

.

Said the raven,

“Dinty Moore”

.

Tell me, bird, I asked.

Are you an omen, or divine?

Is this a message of the future?

 Of what I have in store?

But my plea it went unanswered.

.

Said the raven,

“Dinty Moore”

.

Wait, I said,

as suddenly I knew.

Dinty Moore?

The beef-stew?

.

Is that why you bother me?

Is this what you tout?

Is that why you woke me?

.

Said the raven,

“I’ll show myself out.”

part two

The next morning,

still in my kerchief & night-gown,

I sat with a cup of coffee at

the breakfast nook;

lit a bowl, & pondered my

passerine pop-in ad.

.

And how, despite the intrusion,

I suppose some beef-stew

did sound pretty good.

.

When suddenly,

there was a tapping at my window.

It was another raven!

This one dressed smart —

.

In a pressed white shirt

with black tie — taut.

On a card table was an e-meter.

.

Said the raven,

“Would you like to see a thought?”