Rather than the pigeons’
monotonous murmur
A flock of pigeons landed
there on the lawn
Like multi-patterned
mosaic pebbles on the shore
Just like you, I liked
those pretty creatures more;
Dotting the green with
white, black and shiny grey
They pecked the grains in
their own peculiar way
When I threw a handful of
grains from my tray;
They flitted fast as if
to express their delight
Who will not feel happy
at such a joyful sight?
Like pretty kids with
toffees at a birthday feast
Coming out with funny
caps and pretty return gifts.
They won’t stop there; in
the nooks and corners they sit
And go on moaning,
moaning without limit;
As of someone cheated
them and fled away
Vexed with their
monotonous sound I shoo them away;
My balcony floor with
their droppings they spoil
No use even if I hang a
bright sheet of tin foil;
With their incessant
mourning tone I get upset
Often, I drive them away; yet still they come and fret.
(I I )
Unlike these pretty
birds, the raven comes at once
Picks his bite and goes away
without nuisance;
I keep a morsel of rice
or a piece of bread
On the wall, he grabs and
asks for more without dread
When I wave off, without complaint he goes away;
Croaking thanks in his
own peculiar way.
No more whining or
lingering with begging eyes
He struts and with a
merry leap, flies to the skies.
He is too punctual and he
comes on the dot
Fluttering his wings to
take his food to the same spot;
Announcing his arrival
with a raucous cry
As if to ask why delay in
food supply?
The flock of pigeons
waiting there, with ease he scares
In his presence the tizzy pigeons will not dare
To come, but stand afar
and helplessly stare
With dark red eyes as if
to say it is not fair.
At the dark intruder who
picks his food and pricks
With his sharp, sturdy
beak and kicks
The poor pigeons far away
from his way;
Once his food done, he
leaves and will not stay.
Though rough and raucous
ravens never irritate
They grab their bite and
fly away swift and straight.
While pigeons linger and
endlessly complain
Like stubborn
school-going kids who whine and whine;
The ravens seem to be
simple and straightforward
Their early wake-up call and time-sense we applaud;
That is why I like the
raucous sounds of ravens more
Than the moaning pigeons near
my balcony door.
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Note: Tizzy means nervous excitement, confused state.
