Mood:
not sureTopic: "Quoth the Raven"(7)
Perhaps it started when one of the group was injured, and Frodo first noted him in a futile attempt to become airborne. If nothing else was clear, the truth was that he could not keep up with the others, and they were reluctant to leave him alone. It might also have been one or two of twelve other reasons, but Frodo will accept his current hypothesis as the most, well, romantic.
The Shire attracts an avian contingent throughout the year, and during a time of drought, like now, Frodo's bird baths receive special attention. Songbirds join with squirrels, chipmunks, and the crows, if that's what they are, for Frodo has never been able to separate crow from raven. The predators, including Beau Neau, are highlighted by the presence of hawks, who are continually screeching and circling above waiting for an appropriate opportunity. The presence of the crows, or ravens, means a special operatic performance is at hand whenever it strikes their fancy to gang up on a hawk who may threaten their young, or the wounded comrade mentioned above. There never really seemed to be that many of them, but now it appears as if a dozen or more are near at hand at all times.
It did not take Werner Von Brauhn to comprehend the squawking of the crows, or ravens, signaling the presence of a hawk. Soon, every creature disappears from the birdbaths, and the first movement one sees is the armada of black congregating in a tall pine. The hawk will usually then make a run for it, and the entire group screams into pursuit, save the wounded warrior who seems to direct traffic from his grounded position.
Frodo wants to quote E.A. Poe at this point, but his memory is captive to but a single line, repeated often enough that Frodo would rather remain silent. He is sure now that these must be crows, since the silence he would imagine in a night's rookery, with this group, is nevermore.
Frodo and Sam, accompanied by Mick, the Wonder Dog, are en route to Lake Lovey in order to engage the final long weekend of summer. Frodo will not be communicating since his ancient personal computer has fried its' modem. The "dial up" service he has there, is therefore de jure defunct. He will return next week to the Shire and continue his dialogues.
He expects to be the target of scorn from the tall pines, where those hide who have longed for a full birdbath and the servitude which accompanies. They are probably Republicans.
