On Ebony Wings

I wrote verses on sullen wings of a lonely lark
romantic phrases I had written in perfect rhyme
but the avian flew off when night grew dark
I wrote no further poetry for the longest time

A beautiful blue jay then landed upon my lawn
I wrote such sweet prose on his sapphire wings
He spent many nights but at the cusp of a dawn
he left searching for other pleasures life brings

I answered the mating call of a handsome raven
Love sonnets I inscribed upon his ebony wings
He stayed for years with me in our safe haven
before I became one of the raven's castoff things

I shall no longer place trust in those who take flight
I lost them all and for a time, my torn heart bled
On restless wings of others, I'll never again write,
trusting myself to compose upon my wings instead

farewellrhyme

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Daniel Henry Rodgers

Date: 6/4/2025 7:26:00 AM

Dear Lin, I love how the lonely lark, the blue jay, the raven, all become muses and mirrors for your own journey through trust, heartbreak, and creative renewal. I’m struck by how your use of avian imagery with the evolution of self-reliance, brings the spirit of poets like Plath and Oliver whom you and I admire. Your closing lines are especially powerful, marking a transformation, no longer writing on the wings of others, but finding strength and inspiration within your own personal growth in poetry. Beautifully Crafter Lin! Spring Blessings, My Dear Lin, Daniel

Lin Lane
Date: 6/4/2025 11:59:00 AM

Thank you, Dear Deaniel. Birds of a feather don't always cohabitate well together. Wings of change don't always prove to be for the better but in this case it definitely was. Your acumen when reading me is always on target.

Evelyn Judy Buehler

Date: 6/3/2025 10:04:00 PM

Somewhat sad, yet a touchingly beautiful poem, Lin. So well written! :)

Lin Lane
Date: 6/4/2025 11:56:00 AM

Sad can really be beautiful if we look for something positive. Thank you very much for reading me and leaving such kind thoughts.

Duke Beaufort

Date: 6/3/2025 6:11:00 PM

Lin, I'm with Ink Empress on this. You've learned to soar on your own, and that is a wonderful thing. There's so much to see from the perspective of flight. The world becomes your doll house and you get to play with it as you wish and choose. Each of the previous bird partners left you with something to consider, and now you have the best wings of all. Smiles!

Lin Lane
Date: 6/4/2025 3:10:00 AM

If we're to soar to any height, it just as soon be on our own wings. Life often holds as much good as bad, so it's at our own discretion to choose which to embrace and which to cast aside. Thanks for the reads and supportive comments, Duke.

Ink Empress

Date: 6/2/2025 9:18:00 AM

Ah linnersz, how well woven is this, so beautiful and so elegant, and soulfully moving as always! It feels like im reading words that were meant to depict thoughts within me! So exquisite and evocative and yes sometimes birds just need not be trusted for they long to be wild and free and would claim any adoration and love as a trap or cage! Well expressed and your rhymes are sublime and the flow so seamless! I especially love also the lines "Love sonnets I inscribed upon his ebony wings" and "I lost them all and for a time, my torn heart bled On restless wings of others, I'll never again write," love that! Reminds me of also careless whisp, the song! Never stop writing ever. Sending you light

Lin Lane
Date: 6/2/2025 9:40:00 AM

Thank you, Ink. I couldn't stop writing if even in my head. Your comments are always suffused with light, and for each one I humbly thank you. Love can never be caged. It must remain of its own free will.