Why the Crow Sits in the Cold, Cold Tree

Vaani the vole who pokes her nose through snow knows
Why, while wriggling her toes for the wakening spring.
Torin the trout who peeks from the cat-tailed creek knows
Why, and anticipates a date with his speckled mate.
Sia the squirrel who dares a dance on a tiny branch knows
Why, and she munches fall’s nuts from her cozy hut.
Elon the eagle who plies the piled and pelting skies knows
Why, as rain-bearing winds wing from the warming west.
Yes, they know Why well, yet they can’t ever tell
why the crow sits silent and fell in the cold, cold tree.