If you ask ecologists and farmers how they feel about starlings and crows, you'll get a wide variety of animated responses. Both birds have a reputation for being obnoxious, invasive even, and yet, when considered by themselves...one realizes that they are incredibly intelligent beings, in their own right. Adept survivalists and strategists! Sometimes just as crafty as their cunning, albeit somewhat self-absorbed, human neighbors.

A murmuration of starlings... A mobbing of crows... The vocabulary that surrounds these flight patterns conjures song and poem. Both of these creatures have also occupied every place I've ever called home: my front yard in rural Iowa, my backyard in urban Massachusetts, Hutton Lodge at Pinkham Notch in New Hampshire and Seed Savers in Decorah, Iowa.

These particular lyrics came to me at three in the morning when I couldn't sleep. I was humming a melody I remember my grandmother humming now and again (the "I know this flower will open" bit...) and doing something I often do when I can't quite remember a tune: make up something new. Halfway through verse one, a bunch of new lyrics and rhythms popped into my head and I let it fly.

Later, a friend pointed out that I may have heard my grandmother sing the lyrics to a round/hymn by the amazing Mary Grigolia. I looked up this round, and decided, that yes, perhaps, this work was influential. Unfortunately, it's too late to ask her... Consequently, I reached out to Mary to ask her permission to follow through with my song and she called me back to wish me luck. I was so excited to hear from someone so accomplished and also to check out the rest of her music. So now: I have both my grandmother and Mary to thank for the inspiration behind these lyrics. If you've never listened to Mary's rounds or other works, please check out her catalogue on-line. You won't regret it.

The background rhythm was also influenced by a previous hip-hop track created by Tea So Cold. His beat sounded great on it's own and I was psyched when he approved of the lyrical addition! Speaking of work, you need to check out, this beat-spinning mastermind. I hoping he sets up his own bandcamp shortly. and that you enjoy our collaborative effort here! - Warmly, Leah