Black Bird White (Kyrielle)

Lift me up. Hold me down. Keep me close. Safe and sound. ~ Rihanna

The day dissolved into nightfall.

A dove fell into raven night.

I slept beside a waterfall

feathering dreams of black bird white.

 

The smell of pines was in the air.

I touched the moon’s most holy light

and found my sisters sleeping there

feathering dreams of black bird white.

 

The river threaded into mist,

throughout the wood and out of sight.

I followed every turn and twist

feathering dreams of black bird white.

 

I watched the sun rise into flame.

All of the wrongs turned into right.

A gentle breeze, a sweet kiss came

feathering dreams of black bird white.

 

I nested into nothingness,

the magic muse of fancy flight

and melted with sweet tenderness

feathering dreams of black bird white.

 

A lineage of silent dead,

burning embers of stars tonight.

A little girl with arms wing-spread

feathering dreams of black bird white.

 

The Breath of Life spills into me.

The darkness is suddenly bright.

Guardians watch from every tree

feathering dreams of black bird white.

 

I taste the calm before the storm.

I have no fear of any height.

I am sheltered, well fed, and warm

feathering dreams of black bird white.

Author's Note

Reviews

[M]

Black bird white is an interesting description and it's choice for the refrain, doubly so, perhaps alluding to a darkness giving way to light after a period of unforgiving storm. It's a lovely form I have been introduced to before by a talented poet here and I applaud you for having the discipline to attempt and complete the form. Shadow will always give way to light no matter the length of the darkness, I have found. Just stay feathered and nesting until it dawns.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you, Makhabat. Your advice is well received.

[Soren]

The repetitiveness of the title phrase could easily make this a song. It is so gentle, so comforting and almost hypnotic that it takes the soul off into that other land. Your phrasing is carefully chosen to enhance this feeling and I find myself drifting off to a peacefull land of safety and I found little need to interpret it because its feeling took me away.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you, Soren. Such a wonderful and kind review. Thank you.

[Chris Shaw]

Love the repetition here Linda in a poem which to me represents the loss of innocence. An innocent child who appears to have successfully refused to allow the situation to define her, perhaps in later life.

The darkness is suddenly bright

Beautifully conveyed lines. Rising above it all.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you so much, Chris. I appreciate you so much.

[Lisasview]

Interesting read Linda..
Appears to be innocence lost...
I really enjoyed the read and actually went back to read it again. Love the thought process..
This actually reminds me (just a touch of my poem..Innocence...
I really like the structure...inspires me to try it someday.
Lisa, in Spain

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you, Lisa. I'll have to look up your poem as well. :)

[Lisasview]

You are most welcome!

[John the Baptist]

"Feathering dreams of blackbird white." The phrase recurs at the end of each quatrain, but in the first one we get the picture of a dove falling into night. This may mean a loss of innocence of some sort.The following verses seem to describe a difficult period of struggle, but in verse 4 we behold a resurrection of sorts, where the wrongs are righted. Thereafter, all seems to improve, until in the last verse the speaker seems to have passed through the ordeal successfully and is ready to face life unafraid. There is a touch of Dante in this offering.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you, John. I appreciate your visit.