r a v e n
villanelle
raven soaring in the light
pinions slicing wind and sky
casting shadows from the heights
^
sable plumes galvanize internal plight
change wind breathes a sigh
raven soaring in the light
^
guardian of mystic flight
metamorphic currents rising high
casting shadows from the heights
^
zenith of the reflective night
amidst prodigious truths we fly
raven soaring in the light
^
apogee of realms effulgent bright
galaxies mirrored in obsidian eyes
casting shadows from the heights
^
hidden truths evoke internal sight
infinite depths of mortal and divine
raven soaring in the light
casting shadows from the heights
_________________________________
Author's Note:
Indigenous peoples respect the Raven as a messenger of hidden truths and a symbol of transformation/death and rebirth. You can read a little about the Lakota reverence for the mystic kȟaŋği tȟáŋka here:
About the Creator
Kristen Balyeat
Words fly to me on the wind, bump into me as I'm strolling the city, splash me in the face while I rest by the river, and shake me awake in the middle of the night—I’m humbly one of the vessels they use to come to life.
Also, i love you:)
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More stories from Kristen Balyeat and writers in Poets and other communities.
wurds tae loue 'n' wurds tae hate
My entry for Paul's Challenge, which you can find below! Author's Note: I used a translation website to translate some of the words to Scottish Slang, which I have italicized throughout the poem. I don’t know if the translations are accurate, but seem to be. Paul, you’ll have to evaluate!
By Kristen Balyeat2 years ago in Poets
'20/20'
"Do It Again" the track that would ultimately open the Beach Boys final album on Capitol Records which was released on February 10th 1969 had originally been released as a single in August of 1968. The track was the first of many post-Pet Sounds era throwbacks to the early Beach Boys sound which would become continually more cliched and eventually lead the Beach Boys to the level of self-parody they would eventually succumb to in the 1980s while their closest contemporaries The Beatles nearing the end of their run in 1969 would go on to be viewed as the most influential band of all time. However, the song itself is not bad on its surface, and it opens with a futuristic sounding (for 1969) drumbeat captured by then-Beach Boys engineer Stephen Desper using tape delays on the drums performed by Dennis Wilson and John Guerin. The song has been re-recorded numerous times over the years on various Beach Boys-related projects most notably the 2011 re-recording at Capitol studios featuring the five surviving Beach Boys at the time backed instrumentally by various members of both the Brian Wilson Band and Mike Loves touring "Beach Boys" to promote the then upcoming Beach Boys 50th Anniversary reunion tour in 2012. The hammering and power drill sound at the end of the song was an excerpt from a track called "Workshop" that was to be a part of the uncompleted "SMiLE" album.
By Sean Callaghan7 days ago in Beat
Comments (27)
When i hear Raven,, I think of Poe and his adorable Raven. This is so beautifully done. Congrats
I love "Obsidian eyes" 😍
Oh I missed this in holiday madness. Glad I am catching up. This is such an elegant villanelle! It soars (no pun intended). It is light and shade in all the right places. Love it.
I love what you did with this, Kristen! I learned very young to pay heed to the ravens and this is a wonderful tribute, not to mention a skillfully written villanelle. (Not that I'd expect anything less.)
Well now, you see synchronicity at work everywhere! You commented on my piece about your dream experience with the hawk, and here I am to tell you I've had Ravens following me around and croaking at me for months, almost as if they were cheering on my dreary thoughts. A kindness from an unkindness, so to speak, and perhaps a sign of Odin's approval... Quite a lovely villanelle!
Inspiring and beautiful.
This is a great poem. Nice work. And Congrats on Top Story!
In my humble view, it takes a unique person to write such a unique poem. Your writer's voice in this world will never fade. Bless you for writing this ☯
This is so gorgeous, Kristen! I'm so in love with your flow and word choices here 🥹
oh, yay, back to say, Congrats on a rather fine Top Story and I am officially worried about my chances in the challenge, thanks, pal...lol!
Congrats on your awesome top story Kristen. Best wishes for Christmas and 2024! 😊👍☃️🌲
Wow! You set the bar quite high with this one. If this doesn't place... I will eat my shoe...No, shoes... I will eat both of them... just not the ones I wear every day, lol. Seriously though, your imagination and word choices were in the ZONE when you wrote this! Great work, Kristen! 💖🤩
Yayyyyy I'm back to say congratulations for your Top Story!
I love the contrast in imagery of “raven soaring in the light,” you’ve done a wonderful job of conveying the meaning of your poem contained in just this line alone. Congrats on top story!
The most beautiful ode to the Raven.
Lovely storytelling with words. I can attest with your footnote a bit - Ravens being the messengers of hidden truths and a symbol of transformation/death and rebirth - as one came to me a few years ago, providing the confirmation and strength to end an abusive relationship and rebirth my Self. I have looked to Ravens and Crows for guidance ever since!
Your imagery is always worth reading, Kristen. quite beautiful.
Beautiful villanelle, & I loved that you used Lakota traditions, South Dakota being where I was born & grew up.
Beautifully done. You had me up there soaring through the air with the raven. Just amazing.
Well done on your magnificent Villanelle! 😊👏 I have heard something of this in folklore and movies and such - great job!
Such a lovely villanelle Kristen, and loved your note about the raven too ❤️
Oh wow, I never knew the symbolic meaning of ravens. So glad you shared that piece of info. As always, your poem was breathtakingly beautiful and gorgeously divine!
What a beautiful sight in my minds eye.
Beautifully written. Love it! ❤
First off, Raven is one of most favourite birds. You brought the mystical magic of Raven to life.