A simile I believe, because the sentence uses the word "as."

It used "as if to." It would be a simile if it went along the lines of "the pie was as good as six."

It's a metaphor.

It used "as if to." It would be a simile if it went along the lines of "the pie was as good as six."

It used "as if to." It would be a simile if it went along the lines of "the pie was as good as six."

No, it's a simile.

EDIT: The OP's figure of speech is.

It used "as if to." It would be a simile if it went along the lines of "the pie was as good as six."

No, it is a simile. The crows are not literally being described as a symbol of his last good dead, they are being compared to them (hence the use of "as if to").

That's a simile. The difference is not simply a mechanical one, based on the choice of words. Metaphor and simile are not interchangeable that way. It is useful to think more deeply about metaphor and simile. A metaphor is a direct statement that one thing is another (so long as it's clear that the language is figurative and not meant to be taken literally). A simile is a statement of comparison, that one thing is like or as if it were another.

A metaphor equates; a simile compares. That's the difference in as few words as possible. Usually, the absence of words of comparison distinguishes a metaphor from a simile; "as if", being a phrase of comparison, clearly marks the expression as simile.

Much confusion has arisen over what manner of words may be used to introduce a simile. A simile may be introduced by any words that create a comparison; it does not have to be introduced by "like" or "as". Any comparison, including "as if", will do. Conversely, a metaphor requires words that equate, usually "is", but not a hedged or comparative kind of equality like "is as if". Because of this, metaphor is strong seasoning and should be used with as much care in writing as you use cayenne pepper in cooking.

That's a simile. The difference is not simply a mechanical one, based on the choice of words. Metaphor and simile are not interchangeable that way. It is useful to think more deeply about metaphor and simile. A metaphor is a direct statement that one thing is another (so long as it's clear that the language is figurative and not meant to be taken literally). A simile is a statement of comparison, that one thing is like or as if it were another.

A metaphor equates; a simile compares. That's the difference in as few words as possible. Usually, the absence of words of comparison distinguishes a metaphor from a simile; "as if", being a phrase of comparison, clearly marks the expression as simile.

Much confusion has arisen over what manner of words may be used to introduce a simile. A simile may be introduced by any words that create a comparison; it does not have to be introduced by "like" or "as". Any comparison, including "as if", will do. Conversely, a metaphor requires words that equate, usually "is", but not a hedged or comparative kind of equality like "is as if". Because of this, metaphor is strong seasoning and should be used with as much care in writing as you use cayenne pepper in cooking.

I'm still confused... Can someone post an example of each highlighting the difference?

But isn't "Crows Fleeing the Scene" a metaphor (ie equivalence) for catching him self doing evil,

And "seen a dove" a metaphor (ie equivalence) for doing something good,

And the "as if to remind me" a simile comparing the two metaphors

???

The line is very artistic in nature, it seems to create two metaphors and then compares the metaphors in a simile. Sounds like I'm making a joke, but I'm serious -- it seems to me that's what is it is.

More symbols than metaphors. Whatever crows and doves are being equated to isn't in the verse, but only in the listener's experience and imagination. That's characteristic of a symbol, but not of a metaphor.

That's a simile. The difference is not simply a mechanical one, based on the choice of words. Metaphor and simile are not interchangeable that way. It is useful to think more deeply about metaphor and simile. A metaphor is a direct statement that one thing is another (so long as it's clear that the language is figurative and not meant to be taken literally). A simile is a statement of comparison, that one thing is like or as if it were another.

A metaphor equates; a simile compares. That's the difference in as few words as possible. Usually, the absence of words of comparison distinguishes a metaphor from a simile; "as if", being a phrase of comparison, clearly marks the expression as simile.

Much confusion has arisen over what manner of words may be used to introduce a simile. A simile may be introduced by any words that create a comparison; it does not have to be introduced by "like" or "as". Any comparison, including "as if", will do. Conversely, a metaphor requires words that equate, usually "is", but not a hedged or comparative kind of equality like "is as if". Because of this, metaphor is strong seasoning and should be used with as much care in writing as you use cayenne pepper in cooking.

More symbols than metaphors. Whatever crows and doves are being equated to isn't in the verse, but only in the listener's experience and imagination. That's characteristic of a symbol, but not of a metaphor.