This is my first post here.
I'm from Scotland and my poems are written in English but with Scots words added at intervals, where my train of thought lapses into my native tongue.
I'm not sure whether I should interpret the words for the readers, or whether I should let their imaginations flow..
Dark as your shiny wings on heaven high,
as over the cold northlands you fly,
an' black..your beady eyed inquiry
o' my intent....
There's none like you in skies above,
no warbling thrush nor soft downed dove
can match the challenge
o' your demanding stare....
In my Pictland hame you are the deil,
oft' cursed by lowly farming chiel,
marauder o' the sky
uncompromising trickster...
Corbie o' the Perthshire field,
who plunders ripened harvest yield
thus, suffers murder from the rain
o' lethal leadshot...
Your broken body hangs upon
the cruel barbed fence, and as the dawn
heralds another day,
your cawin' kin mourn your end...
But even though you've brought ill fame
upon yourself....are you to blame
for the omnivorous nature
o' your carrion kind ?...
I mind the tymes ere I did gae
into the fields 'fore break o' day
an when first rays o' sun appeared,
black raven clouds ascended...
O' feathered reiver high above
I hate ye not..indeed I love
your swirling swooping antics,
you selkie o' the sky..
On Haida totem, perched so regal,
your stony gaze outstares the eagle...
you are the master
o' this Pacific shore...
Once.. in a far and distant place
when first I looked upon your face....
you fed from my small child hand...
Want to review or comment on this poem?
Need a FREE Reader Membership?
Reviews of "Ode to a Raven"
Reviewed by Dan Summerfield (Reader)
Reviewed on December 16, 2003
Your native tongue is your native literary voice. Don't ever lose it, it's far to valuable in your writing.
We dont have Ravens here, but we do have crows, that fly backwards!
AAAAAAAAAk Tee hee.
Ch'erie
Reviewed by Oirdheirc Mor (Reader)
Reviewed on December 14, 2003
Hi Graham,
Well Dani in the finest poet on the site, and if she says you are good, then you are good.
My opinion for what it is worth, says you are very good.
Mor.
Yes, I agree with Dani. Reminds me of the time I crawled under tall tree, to shoot a crow with 22 in the high canopy. And of the time, in the early Guatemalan dawn, I stood on the balcony watching the ravens fly low overhead, calling "grock, groak" as they disappeared into the jungle beyond.
Reviewed by Lady Peg (Reader)
Reviewed on December 14, 2003
Yes Grhamn,
Let it flow this is so beautiful and I love your native language it gives your tale in poetry the worth it deserves for english would loose the gasp is it ruled.
"O' feathered reiver high above
I hate ye not..indeed I love
your swirling swooping antics,
you selkie o' the sky..
On Haida totem, perched so regal,
your stony gaze outstares the eagle...
you are the master
o' this Pacific shore...
Once.. in a far and distant place
when first I looked upon your face....
you fed from my small child hand..."
Stunning beautiful poetry.
So glad i could read the first post.
Thank you,
Lady Peg
Reviewed by *********** ********** (Reader)
Reviewed on December 14, 2003
No you should just let it flow.....the result is amazing.
My God that last verse is fantastic as is all of this very well written poem!
I love your style..And the way your poem sounds when read aloud..
A book of nature inspired poems and essays, written from the heart and soul of a life-long nature, animal, and wilderness lover, and dedicated to today’s children - Earth's only hope for a better tomorrow.
This book won 'The Poetry Category'
AAAAAAAAAk Tee hee.
Ch'erie
Well Dani in the finest poet on the site, and if she says you are good, then you are good.
My opinion for what it is worth, says you are very good.
Mor.
Let it flow this is so beautiful and I love your native language it gives your tale in poetry the worth it deserves for english would loose the gasp is it ruled.
"O' feathered reiver high above
I hate ye not..indeed I love
your swirling swooping antics,
you selkie o' the sky..
On Haida totem, perched so regal,
your stony gaze outstares the eagle...
you are the master
o' this Pacific shore...
Once.. in a far and distant place
when first I looked upon your face....
you fed from my small child hand..."
Stunning beautiful poetry.
So glad i could read the first post.
Thank you,
Lady Peg
My God that last verse is fantastic as is all of this very well written poem!
I love your style..And the way your poem sounds when read aloud..
Excellent writing...And welcome to AD...Dani