Ranudi Gunawardena
Summer 2024 | Poetry
Brood Parasitism
In the backyard where the mango
tree splits into branches, a crow
curves scavenged twigs, weaving
them into a nest. Its beak shines,
polished steel and sharp by the labor
of making. Soaring across the yard
on industrious wings, it clasps
in its claw some soft bark, dried
weeds, a ball of hair. In the nest,
they make a comfortable bed
for the immaculate eggs to blue.
In the crow’s absence, here the koha
bird lays its egg, then hurriedly takes
flight. When the chicks hatch, the crow
soars, scavenges once more, feeding
its featherless. Later, with its black
beaded eyes, the crow spots
the other among the chicks—the saga
seeds pressed bright crimson in its skull.
Ranudi Gunawardena is a Sri Lankan poet whose work explores childhood in rural landscapes and the uncanny in nature among others. Her work has appeared in literary magazines such as Equatorial, Kopi Collective, Samfiftyfour, and Wachana. She studies at Williams College.