Black Bird Flying Over The Dirty Highway

A Poem

On the off ramp I pause

and take note a black bird, a crow maybe, taking off

from the side of the road

giant piece of bread in beak such a prize

probably junk food though, sorry friend

but such effort, such work

to fly above the dirty cars

above the slush above the pavement

with this treasure the light is still red

so I still watch as the bird reaches

the other side to rest on the wall that divides

this direction from that — he lands and the bread falls from his beak

slowly so slowly that I want to scream this movie just took such a turn

this little joy in the midst of grime

the light turns green the bird flies away

I drive home.

Jenny Justice is a poet mom who longs to bring poetry to life in ways that spark empathy, connection, joy, and feeling. She loves writing love poems, climate change awareness poems, poems for kids, and of course, poems about poetry and poets. You can follow her on Medium and at Jenny Justice, Writer and support her poetry at Justice Poetic. You can also support her on Patreon and sign up for her poem a week newsletter here — thank you!