Saturday, April 26, 2014

Old Raven

Artist Les Herman


Raven is sitting on top
of my monitor,
looking at me with grave prescience.

What can you tell me,
of my dreams,
Old Raven?

Raven busily rustles her wings,
puts on her pointy glasses,
points with a feathered wing:
Listen up!

Raven,
with your gobble-cry,
you summon me to 
shake off this torpid darkness.
With your pointy wing,
you indicate Up and Out,
a change in my Being,
whether I stand in place
or pack my bags.

Raven thumbs through 
a Book of Possibles,
none of which have any connection
to my current reality.
Thumb, thumb, thumb,
an upward look at me,
assessing my readiness
for each eventuality.
She stops at a given page.
This is the one -
the answer that I need 
and fear to hear.

I light sweetgrass 
in the abalone shell.
I waft the smoke skywards, 
earthwards,
and to all the Four Directions.
Our eyes meet.
She awaits my question.


Raven,

on the smoke of my lit prayers,
hear my plea:
lift me over the mountains
to walk once more 
beside the sea.

Raven looks down,
beak pursed.
I do not hear her answer,
so I know it is
not time.

Perhaps it is time
to find
another question?

This was sparked by Elizabeth Crawford's wonderful poem Dialogue With My Dragon. A Raven visited me this morning and I knew she had something to say, I had something to ask. Thus this poem. But still no answers. One is on the way though. I am certain of it.


42 comments:

  1. Wow. This is very compelling and vivid, sherry. One feels the presence of both bird and questions. K.

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  2. Sherry, thanks for the props. My daughter says to tell you that all you need do is close your eyes. The dragon won't appear, or enter, until you invite it in. I would have said the same. I love your Raven and can actually see it, and hear a gravelly whisper.

    Elizabeth

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  3. "you indicate Up and Out,
    a change in my Being,"....the yearning is so well captivated and i love the close Sherry....

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  4. very living being has something to teach us

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  5. This poem makes me want to cry. It provokes so many sentiments in me. It's gorgeous.

    The most potent verse in here for me is

    With your pointy wing,
    you indicate Up and Out,
    a change in my Being,
    whether I stand in place
    or pack my bags.

    The standing in place or packing of bags... it just awakens the nomad in me more. I feel really connected to this poem.

    It's so lovely Sherry.

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  6. I love it Sherry ~ Your unconscious is calling and sending you a message ~ Is it time or do we wait and if we wait, how long ~ The answer perhaps can be found inside ourselves ~

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  7. Oh Sherry! When the raven visits, I know this sits heavily with you. Can there be another question? Amazing. I'll light some sage here too.

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  8. Dearest Sherry this will not be the answer you wish, but we have but to look around, there is the answer, it is what the Universe has given....you must wait if it is something else you wish. The Universe is set up for your happiness, and is working toward your happiness. Be very clear about your wishes. Loved your piece!

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  9. Fascinating poem, Mom! Your writing is dramatically improving! <3

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  10. I would always take heed of a raven's visit!

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  11. Interesting read Sherry, maybe Raven way of saying sometimes the questions we ask the answers we may already have.

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  12. liked the story, and the ending was pretty brilliant too.

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  13. No Way! I love your poem and know her message is profound~ Please tell me what happens!!
    ATB @>------------------

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  14. The questions are more important than the answers.. any wise raven knows that... hope it's either Huginn or Muninn ... :-)

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  15. She'll be tapping on your window again....

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  16. Wonderful piece Sherry. Very many of us look to nature for the answers for she is so much wiser than we are. It reminds of a something I read a very long time ago, "when the student is ready, the teacher will come."

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  17. Interesting work Sherry - it rather reminded me of the device they used in the Sopranos - when the ducks would visit Tony's swimming pool... There's more to come here, I think... With Best Wishes Scott

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  18. Oh yes, the Raven, long a symbol of the beginning to the peoples of the Islands, the Haida and all the rest. I think I can understand why you consult a raven about your new beginning.
    Meanwhile, I hope you are well, my friend.
    Luv, K

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  19. Well... that was interesting :-) I look forward to reading your pieces and they are never disappointing :-)
    ZQ

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  20. It has the feel of a ritual. Even we Indians consider ravens to be allegories of wisdom. I love this poem of yours. And i agree with Mama Zen when i say that i want the Book of Possibles.

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  21. Sherry, I think this is one of my absolute favorites of your fabulous writing. Textured, layered...a joy to read and just beautifully constructed.

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  22. Your lead took me right into Poe's Raven:

    Raven is sitting on top
    of my monitor,
    looking at me with grave prescience.

    "Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door -"

    and from there it was all you. :-)

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  23. This is really good...
    The style of writing is wonderful!

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  24. Sherry,

    Your reverence for the raven is complete, through your words in this poem. A wonderful write Sherry, with a word to the raven as well, which I hope is responded to, in time:)

    Best wishes, Eileen

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  25. Grrrrr! My comment went missing in the ether of the blogosphere, but it was something about dream-like quality and wondering what the raven symbolizes in various cultures... And that it was, of course a great write!

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  26. I love when you eyes meet with the bird...It's cool that you're watching the signs for the right move at the right time. ~ Hope your dream comes true soon! :)xx

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  27. I admire the sincere searching tone of your poem and hope you find an answer. There's something of the Native American sense of a spirit animal about this too.

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  28. How profounds...to ask a different question. Love it Sherry!

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  29. sometimes we have to find the right question to the answers we are given ...that is for sure...i do hope that time comes for you sherry.....

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  30. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  31. Sherry,

    This poem is powerful on many levels. It reaches into the soul. It has a dream like quality with a reminder to be patient in the journey of life. Sometimes life throws a stumbling block in our path to give us time to explore our options. I am hoping the road opens and you find your way on the path of your heart.

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  32. This is beautiful, but yet I tear up from reading it. I think all of us have a question that avoids an answer...sending up ribbons of hope

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  33. Superb poetry.It is a great poem, with epic connotations. Answers will come...

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  34. Your raven is a good deal more affirmative - even if ultimately questions go unanswered - than Poe's grim counsellor!

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  35. I have some questions for that Raven. Send her my way

    "This is the one -
    the answer that I need
    and fear to hear."

    I've been experiencing this a lot lately during meditation. Thank you for sharing that

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  36. Let us know when you find the answer, Sherry! Perhaps that raven will visit you again.

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  37. Excellent. .The raven is wise - we must find our own answers - and I am sure you will walk once more beside the sea.
    Anna :o]

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  38. I agree with many on this piece, Sherry. It has a powerful and wise message in it. You will find the answer. I know you will. I am currently finding faith in what was lost to me.

    Pamela ox

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  39. you've been swimming deep and soaring high with these pens, Sherry ~

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