Inkling_2026_Digital - Flipbook - Page 16
Crows
by Sydney L-B
Sitting next to the window in a math
classroom, the teacher stands at the front
of the room, explaining a formula I already
understand. There are equations on the
board that I am seeing but not registering.
I glance out the window. A crow 昀氀ies
across the horizon. Alone? Always alone.
But alone does not mean he’s lonely, and
free is how he’s always 昀氀own.
I turn back to my notebook. Look down at
the equation on my page. I am supposed
to 昀椀nd the value of ‘x’, but I cannot
help but wonder the value in 昀椀nding
an unknown when we often choose to
destroy what we cannot understand. But
I need this course. So, when the teacher
calls on me, I respond.
“Miss Lavigne, question 3a please.”
“The value of x is 9.” I say, barely looking at
16 | INKLING 2026
my notebook to see if I’m correct.
“Very, good. Can anyone tell me why
this…”
I tune him out, glance at the window
again. Two crows 昀氀y across the horizon.
Alone?
Never alone. They share the skies that are
lonely, because they fear the unknown.
I should be listening to my teacher but I
cannot help but relate everything to my
muse. To others they are just birds, but to
me they represent emotions that I cannot
begin to de昀椀ne. I shake my head, look for
the clock at the front of the classroom.
Tick. Tick. Tick. One minute until the bell
rings. What is my mum always saying?
Time is money, don’t waste it. I seem to be
wasting a lot of time these days. Sitting in
classrooms, completing courses, feeling
