The Raven landed on the soldier’s arm
As if apported from an empty sky;
He stared in fascination and alarm.
His body tensed, he tried to remain calm,
He knew at once from whence it came, and why
The Raven landed on the soldier’s arm.
His throat swelled up, the tingle in his palm
Grew more pronounced; the portent’s grin was wry.
He stared in fascination and alarm,
Telling himself: It came from yonder farm!
But took no heed, nor comfort from the lie.
The Raven landed on the soldier’s arm
And laughed at him with gentle, mocking charm.
The shell exploded, uttered he: Not I!
He stared in fascination and alarm.
The smoke cleared from the trench, he’d met no harm,
Ten feet away he heard a muted cry.
The Raven landed on the soldier’s arm,
He stared in fascination and alarm.
[This was written in a set format for a competition; needless to say, it didn’t win!]
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