Go out to the woods and count the crows
Roosting in the tree riddled with will-o-wisp glow 
There your future will be told
That will follow you as your bones grow old
One for sorrow, Two For Joy
You offer a broken heart, caught in brambles and barbs
Feathers dance – from flapping wings- and uncoil
Three for a girl, Four for a boy,
What you meet is neither, born of the Earth
Your eyes tear and chest burns when you hear  their voice
Five for silver, Six for gold,
You return with flashing smile, promises to meet at the river
They dream of rings but all that waits is a push and kiss cold
Seven for a secret never to be told
For your heart is already taken, their claws buried deep within
Ready to tear it open 
Revealing what’s brewing inside
From that night in the woods
A child from feathers, blood, and crow caresses

[Elizabeth Davis is a second generation writer living in Dayton, Ohio. They live there with their spouse and two cats – neither of which have been lost to ravenous corn mazes or sleeping serpent gods. they can be found at deadfishbooks.com when they aren’t busy creating beautiful nightmares and bizarre adventures. Their work can be found at 42 Stories Anthology, Spooky Magazine, and Sacrfice from Duskbound Books.]