A few years ago Tone Aanderaa was given a wounded crow baby, and she became a 'Crow Mama' for several months. A most amazing encounter. The crow eventually recovered, and along the way the crow inspired several poems and paintings, and also the video 'The Crow'.

The Crow


A little crow was picking at my heels;
- Won't you fly?
- Won't you fly?

A larger crow was sitting on my head
- pulling at my hair;
- When will you fly?

- I have no wings, I said
- How can I fly?

But the crow insisted
Wouldn't listen
Continued to tear at my hair

But finally
- She let go -

- And when I saw her fly -
- Away -
I cried

All day I waited
- in my garden -
- by the pond -
Remembering

When the sun was setting
I still waited -

- Then -
A Silhouette -
A Rush of Wings
A Voice
A Breath
A Beating Heart
- So near;
A Crow

- Communion -

Detail of the 'The Crow' painting.

From the collection 'Poe-etiske voggesanger - epistler fra et mørkt fastland' - Art Sanctuary 2009;
The translation in 'Poe-Ethical Lullabies - Epistles From Dark Mainland' is also part of the collection of videos, 'Liminal Dream' (2009 - 2010), in collaboration with musician Nicky Bendix.