This is my 16th terzanelle, and the longest one I’ve written. This is also my first attempt to alternate between four meters in a consistent fashion. You should find that, starting with the second tercet, there is an interlocking pattern of hypercatalectic iambic pentameter, iambic pentameter, catalectic trochaic pentameter and trochaic pentameter. They’re all pentameters, but four different types woven together in a sort of braid. I was curious to see what the effect of this patterning would be. For the most part, I’m not unhappy with the results.
Raven
rugged feathers brush against my neck
something perches staunchly on my shoulder
croaking wisdom through an unseen beak
it seems an ancient being shrewd and sober
black as empty space between the stars
something perches staunchly on my shoulder
i sense a stern reproach to all my fears
dreads that formed from countless gripping losses
black as empty space between the stars
with rigid countenance it keenly watches
game to see me through each anxious qualm
dreads that formed from countless gripping losses
it came from somewhere in the subtle realm
skies abruptly filled with calling ravens
game to see me through each anxious qualm
this spirit somehow heard my lamentations
cries of savage pain that shook the clouds
skies abruptly filled with calling ravens
they soothe my grief in smooth or raucous chords
offered ever since they found me wailing
cries of savage pain that shook the clouds
this spirit and their spirits ever sailing
pass to me a gift of light and song
offered ever since they found me wailing
with rough and yet a clear enlightened tongue
subtle caws resounding in my spirit
pass to me a gift of light and song
whenever all is still i feel and hear it
rugged feathers brush against my neck
subtle caws resounding in my spirit
croaking wisdom through an unseen beak
Ravens have been special to me my entire life. Everyone who knows me for any length of time will eventually notice that ravens behave a little differently around me than they do other people. They still act like ravens, but they seem to show an awareness of me that they don’t of others. Maybe one day I’ll end up befriending one of these birds and I can study its behavior more closely. They’re fascinating beings.
Publication History:
Blue Unicorn — Winter 2004
