***1

Spy of darkness - crow
Decadent bird, some say
Had to escape from being shot.
Stigmatised by artists
for killing joy
with the shadow of its wings.
This time people were quick
to throw stones
at such a bad omen.
No time to imitate black smoke
above chimneys
or spilled ink
in presidential secretary's office.
Old miner's hands
dirty with coal.