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 many vessels they use to come to life.
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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 Balyeat6 months ago in Poets
Broken Hearts Fall Silent
Attraction can sometimes be a deceptive guide, leading us through a mirage of charm only to leave us stranded in a harsh reality. It's a cruel twist of fate when the dream we chase turns into a nightmare we cannot escape. The realization that we've been deceived by our own feelings is a bitter pill to swallow, leaving us to pick up the pieces of our broken illusions. Yet, it's often through these painful experiences that we grow stronger and learn to see beyond the veil of mere appearances.
By Mercedes Chavez4 days ago in Confessions
Comments (27)
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!
This is very powerful.
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.