Raven Dreams

Posted on January 25, 2022 by

53 Comments

Night Moon

Yes, in the predawn black the slim slip of the waning moon.

-Remote Friends, Jim Harrison

Darkness before dawn-
Jackson stirs from his raven dreams
His shake tells me it’s time to go
I obey for even in the suburbs of the desert,
small creatures get eaten by coyotes
I take no chances with my four legged soulmate.

Wrapping my tattered blue sweater around me
I step out into the spectral backyard.
Our neighbor’s tree is bare of leaves
Crisp cold air slaps me, awakens my senses
At times frost forms on the fountain
and the green grass sparkles like crystal.

Looking up into the black sky I see
the glowing sliver of a waning wolf moon
surrounded by a halo of clouds
I want to howl at my insignificance
but instead I listen to cooing doves
praying for the brilliant sunrise to come.

©2022 Linda Lee Lyberg

dVerse Poetics: Songs of Unreason

Author’s Note: I’m hosting at dVerse today where we are writing poems inspired by lines I have chosen from Songs of Unreason by Jim Harrison. If you want to join us, the pub opens at 3PM EST!

Linda Lee Lyberg is a wife, mother, artist, published poet and author. She resides in Mesa, AZ with her husband Pete (aka The Big Viking) of 26 years and their latest rescue, Jackson “Jax” Lyberg. Linda writes various forms of poetry, as well as short stories. You can read more of her works at: charmedchaos.com and view anthologies containing her work here: Amazon Author Page

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53 Comments on “Raven Dreams”

  2. This is so beautiful, Linda: both your capture of the frosty desert night, and the love for your ‘four legged soulmate’ which shines through!

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  4. This is beautifully deep and poignant, Linda! I love the image of; “the glowing sliver of a waning wolf moon surrounded by a halo of clouds.” Sigh. Thank you so much for the lovely prompt! 💝💝

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  6. Well, I must say, I don’t know how one does that, takes a few minutes stepping outside in the early hours, and turns it into poetry, infuses it with urgency, the coyote, and deep philosophy, the moon…beautifully done…

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  7. I love the line “I want to howl at my insignificance”. It is perfect for that feeling when standing out under the stars knowing you are only like one of the stars, a tiny blip in the huge universe.

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  8. “but instead I listen to cooing doves
    praying for the brilliant sunrise to come.”

    Options do we know them. Do we choose wisely. Luv this nudge in your poem

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  11. Beautiful work indeed, Linda. I esp like howling at one’s own insignificance under a slivery Wolf Moon while awaiting sunrise. Meisterwork! And THANKS for hosting with such intriguing / challenging prompts (I almost had to opt out).

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  15. This is so beautifully atmospheric, Linda! It gave me a chill in such a good way. I love these lines:

    “I take no chances with my four legged soulmate.” – I already love him.

    “I step out into the spectral backyard.” – I can picture this so clearly, almost see my breath hanging in the air. The word spectral says it all.

    And then the whole last stanza finishes it so well 🙂

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  16. A kind of desert version on Call of the Wild, I think! Good choice to listen to doves cooing as neighbors may not appreciate howling before dawn…

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  17. I enjoyed this piece from start to finish. The realization of how small we are compared to the moon and the universe makes the reader pause. Yet, I think we are part of the universe no matter the size. Wonderful read.

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  20. I’m left longing to know more about Jackson and his raven dreams … I have connections of my own with Raven, still quite dark, from a long night of the soul in 2018-9. Yet I think I am making my peace with those nightmares at last. Hoping your Wolf Howl was a cleansing one, not leaving an ache. Sunrise comes at last.

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  21. I love your poem Linda. It is so down to earth and real. Such great morning images as you go walking with your soul mate. I love the line of … howling at your own insignificance!

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  22. I want to howl at my insignificance
    but instead I listen to cooing doves
    praying for the brilliant sunrise to come.

    Love the awareness of being brought back to reality by the sounds of the doves instead of being overtaken by anger!

    Hank

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  23. Thanks so much for a fascinating challenge! Now, on to your poem … the Wolf Moon this year in Bend was one of the best I’ve seen, love that you wrote about it … and Jackson!

    Liked by 1 person

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