The crow that owns the path
to my gardens
keeps track of my usage
from the big pine.
Thinks I owe him a toll.
 
He flies above me
squawking his protest,
settling down in another pine
where he watches me
pick raspberries.
I remind him that he ate
my first bean planting
before they sprouted.
He admits it's so, but argues
that he let the next
one thrive,
points out I ended up with more
beans than I could use.
Claims he keeps the other birds
away from my berries,
preferring peanuts himself.
 
I agree with him,
appreciate his concern.
It is worth a bag of peanuts
to have a watchman on duty
all summer long.

© by Peggy Trojan.
Used with the author's permission.