This is Your Number 8 Year

For Jeffrey Levine

A raven on a windmill palace is studying us. We’re ahorseback on an alkali two-track heading west. Today is his birthday. He’s quipping to the spacious sky, deeper and more musical than the typical flaneur. Our horses are impressed with his caw cawfony and look up. Just then the air element, which is subtle but important takes on a changing quality, a sociable curiosity rides the incoming breeze. Stronger now, it pushes outright for knowledge or justice. The windmill motor sighs, then ooom’s sending unwanted distance and lack of emotion up the shaft. Mercury dominates Gemini and the windmill blades slowly, slowly, start to turn in rationality, adapting themselves to commune with our horses who look up in wonder at this semi-flying object above their heads. The raven has a sense of humor and haw caw’s down at us. He wants to keep us at a distance. He’s earned literate friends like Priscilla Presley, who respect his perfectionism. He’s a legendary raven among ravens and can imitate Bob Dylan, Patti Labelle or a cardinal in a waxing semi-square. Our horses consider bolting, but the raven’s broader perspective about windmill blades keeps them from getting lost in the details of the creaking and groaning metal. As we ride by, the raven plumps up his nest knowing the benefit of being sensible. 

Happy Birthday Jeffrey!