Traci Brimhall | Poetry
Poetry from NER 40.3
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One magpie always means watch out.
One magpie in the yard means stay in the house.
Two magpies in the lane mean don’t go farther than
the roadside.
A magpie walking with its beak open, but quiet,
means go out, but come home quickly.
A magpie calling means something will happen en route.
A magpie on the clothesline means watch your back.
Two magpies in the hedge mean don’t worry about
what the sparrow that hopped inside your
open door means.
A magpie flying, or a tiding of magpies, means
place large bets against tomorrow.
A tiding of magpies spotting the sloped field means
the old man up the road is lonelier right now
than you are.
A magpie on the fence means leave the mail in the box.
Two magpies, one flapping its wings, mean yesterday
was better than today.
A magpie landing in the dooryard while you are
looking out the window means your systems
are working. Steady on.
A magpie mentioned by a neighbor who stops by
means what you said first made poor sense.
A magpie pecking at the gravel means work
harder on how to speak after long silences.
Two magpies walking together away from the house
mean draw the curtains and the door. Something
you don’t know is on its way.
A magpie under the rhododendron means you have not
hurt anyone, or questions and answers have come apart.
Two magpies in the old garden mean choices are long-shots.
A magpie, two magpies in a rough wind or rain mean
making anything, or minding anything is a slow
race home.
Two magpies on the stable roof mean the days have packed
their bags.
One magpie making a nest has stolen what you love.
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