Ravens Over the Rent Check (version 2)

Intro

Rooftop gate rusted shut, key don't turn like it used to

Uncle's coop still standing, wire mesh weathered blue

First of the month, they gather like they already knew

Verse

Uncle kept six birds, called the black ones his witnesses

Said a raven remembers a face longer than forgiveness

Left me the coop and a ledger full of debts unpaid

Rent stamped past due red like the roofing that he laid

Climbed the fire escape with a sack of copper wire

Sold it by the pound to a yard that don't ask who's the buyer

Landlord taped a notice to the door just like a flag

Counted out three-fifty from a coffee can, no brag

Ravens on the ledge watching, don't flinch, don't blink

Uncle said they judge a man by the weight, not what he think

Scrapped a water heater, hauled it down four flights of stairs

Knuckles split like his did, same scars, different pair

Fed them bread crusts, kept the coop from falling in

Told the young ones on the block that's how the hustle's been

Rent check late again but the birds still circle round

Like they waiting on the day the ledger settles down

Chorus

Ravens over the rent check, waiting on the first

They don't caw for nothing, they know the debt gets cleared or worse

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