1

Blacker than basalt

and yet lighter than pumice—

a carbonised crow

perched on a stone in a streambed

the maples have filled with lava.

 

2

It’s fair to say

that judging by the charring

the crow dunking

itself in the stream shallows

has dowsed the fire just in time!

 

3

Certain plumage

is more resistant to fire

than fall foliage—

already blackened, a crow

flies into the blazing maple.