Grief
Ravens are a permanent presence around our house. When I walk on the mountain ravens fly over to see what is happening and I wonder if they recognise me. In many cultures ravens are a mythic symbol of death or are thought of as messengers or omens.
After my mother died I walked on the mountain and thought about the ravens and how empty it would be if I couldn't hear their cronking. The birds became a metaphor that enabled me to explore my grief.