she gave over to release

and a crowd of crows

cawing as they exploded out of her

expanded into a night cloud

that blotted out the sun

her skin floated in rags and tatters

carried by the wind of their wings

no self was left

one person, in fear

who had known one body

could hold so many?

one person, in hope

who had known that other people

had the crows inside too?