Crows Watch— At the Principle Gallery Show
I like to prowl ordinary places
and taste the people-
from a distance.
― Charles Bukowski, Play the Piano Drunk Like a Percussion Instrument Until the Fingers Begin to Bleed a Bit
As far as birds are concerned, crows are my bird of choice to employ in my work. I think it’s their aloofness, their keen intelligence and their sense of constant observation that appeals to me.
I want to say we share these qualities, but I don’t know that either my intelligence or observation skills measure up in crows terms.
But I do have the aloofness part down cold, especially after the last few years of seclusion. I feel more crowlike than ever, perched in my trees here. Observing the world from a distance. Swooping in every so often to grab a shiny object then retreating quickly into the cover of the woods.
Now, I don’t know if that’s good or bad, normal or abnormal, right or wrong. But it feels like a natural extension of my true self. Kind of like how we emphasize or diminish certain personality traits — good and bad–as we age.
This crowish aloofness feels like a natural inborn trait that has just moved to the forefront.
And I’m okay with that.
Just wish the intelligence and observation skills came along as part of the package.
Redtree Times 