Gargoyle

This is a crow that I saw on top of the bookstore on Saturday. It reminded me of this poem, maybe because of what I was feeling at the time...

God bless the rain, and the storm clouds that bring it.
God bless the music, and the voices that sing it.
God bless the ones who sing everything wrong.
God bless the creatures who do not belong.
God bless the hearts and the souls who are grieving
For those who have left, and for those who are leaving.
God bless each perishing body and mind,
God bless all creatures remaining behind.
God bless the dreamers whose dreams have awoken.
God bless the lovers whose hearts have been broken.
God bless each soul that is tortured and taunted,
God bless all creatures alone and unwanted.

Dav Pilkey

This is from God Bless the Gargoyles by Dav Pilkey. I fell in love with this poem the first time I read it. There have been many times in my life when these lines could have applied to me - sometimes of my own doing, sometimes not. I am in a good place now but still this poem is special to me. Mostly because I still can't hold a tune. :P

I'm posting both the Orton version (#1) and the original version (#2 untouched except for the border). The sun was directly behind the crow and it was in deep shadow. I can't decide which one I like better though I'm leaning toward the orton. Is it too stark?