- published: 17 Jan 2015
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A raven is one of several larger-bodied members of the genus Corvus. These species do not form a single taxonomic group within the genus, but share similar characteristics and appearances that generally separate them from other crows. The largest raven species are the common raven and the thick-billed raven.
The term "raven" originally referred to the common raven, the type species of the genus Corvus, which has a larger distribution than any other species of Corvus, ranging over much of the Northern Hemisphere.
The modern English word raven has cognates in all other Germanic languages, including Old Norse (and subsequently modern Icelandic) hrafn and Old High German (h)raban, all of which descend from Proto-Germanic *khrabanaz.
Obsolete collective nouns for a group of ravens (or at least the common raven) include "unkindness" and "conspiracy". In practice, most people use the more generic "flock".
Wide open eyes, black covers the sky
Spreading wings covering me
I see my name written in sand
But there is only black
Where I stand
The Raven circling my heart
Looking at me
Death surrounding my heart
Pulling at me
So invisible, still I can see
Wide open eyes, black covers the sky
Spreading wings covering me
Is this the aftermath of my life
My last and final day
Has the struggle come to an end
And will it all just go away
The Raven circling my heart
Looking at me
Earth surrounding my heart
Pulling at me
So invisible, still I can see
Was it good to learn and walk
Strong back against the wind
Am I being tested and found okay
When it greets me and flies away
The Raven circling my heart
Looking at me
Death surrounding my heart
Pulling at me
Looking at me