Seven Eleven

Seven Eleven

By Carl Sandburg
July 11, 2017

Among the grackles in a half circle on the grass,
Two walked side by side on two legs apiece.

Treetops bent in the wind and bird nest shuddered.
This is why and only why the grackles sat in a half circle.

Seven grackles came at first and sat in the half circle.
Then there were eleven came with two legs apiece and sat in.

They may have been crapshooters full of hope and hot breaths.
They may have been believers in luck, come seven, come eleven.