During today's morning pilgrim walk I was going to my friend's home and was on the usual route and as I passed out of the AIC campus and into Grant Park I crossed paths with the Seven Crows. I heard them and looked up and they were above me in the trees. I had been thinking about the Seven Crows earlier in the morning and so was startled to see them materialize. As I walked through the tree grove the Crows followed close and to make sure I remained aware of their presence they continually called loudly while flying from tree to tree to stay within close range of me. When I reached the end of the grove I was going to turn west leading into the downtown streets but the crows spoke so strongly that I turned to them and wondered what they wanted. It occurred to me they were perhaps trying to not only delay the progress of my walk but also to alter its direction, so instead of going west I turned north and walked back into the tree grove where the crows became more excited and followed me into the lane. One of them dropped down out of the trees and I heard his rushing flight as he clipped my shadow. I stood still then and looked up and after thanking them for their protection I offered the day's walk to them.
As I left the tree grove one block north of my usual route I had the strong impression that the Seven Crows had deliberately altered the course of my day's path and I wondered to what end. Death's presence felt close by as I walked west through the downtown streets under a blanket of cold gray sky. My emotions altered between trepidation and bold stupidity. All I could do was walk and smile, smile and walk. I was relieved when I reached my destination and thanked the Seven Crows again for guiding me safely through the morning walk.