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The Great Swan

"Who's woods are these anyway'. Who's woods that I dwell? The house of Usher I know so well. I seek to skate on the frozen lake. These woods are deep, dark, and weak. Though I would dance like a swan if I could. The lake is always frozen this time of year. How I love the night woods that cover me. Under the bulging night skies of death. Beyond the place of wrath and tears. I would dance upon the lake till not. Alluring, always caressing in a gentle touch. I would be remembered as " The Great Swan". Though here I sit in my bed chamber of death. And wait for God to call my name. 1 pm wed. 7 / 24 / 2013, " House of Usher" stands for death, " right" the woods are a metaphor for the sick body.

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D.W. Rodgers

Date: 7/4/2017 8:25:00 AM

Powerful, sad and touching.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 6/6/2017 3:43:00 PM

I thought I would come tell you, this is THIRD best of your poems as stated by your Best Poems list. And it's very worthy of that!

Vladislav Raven

Date: 5/5/2017 1:08:00 PM

Hi Debbie, Once again your words sing into the mind with their emotional content. I always say there is a certain beauty that can be found in sadness but the sadness must be written well. In the piece there is a beauty Debbie. The words do welcome me You have a great skill in the poetic field Debbie. This one has to be a seven and a fave. Hugs....Mike. XX

Vladislav Raven

Date: 5/5/2017 1:07:00 PM

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 2/11/2016 6:28:00 AM

I was looking through my favorite poems and got to enjoy this one again.

Robert Lindley

Date: 6/20/2014 5:16:00 AM

This is a true gem. Writes such as this fascinate me and I can see , "eyes peering into eternity in them" This one goes into my favorites. Thanks!!!

Carol Eastman

Date: 9/4/2013 10:06:00 AM

A facinating piece... Very deep and aluring to read over and over...

Don Johnson

Date: 8/19/2013 6:02:00 PM

deep as, subtle as the water, under the lake of frozen time, ask not what is that ding, don't listen to that ring, hear the bloody Angels sing? bell a tinkle, is it mine? sorta.... its fine... plonk or wine? benzadrine just aint my thing, talk to you another time. Don re: "The Great Swan" Debbie Duncan

Jay Loveless

Date: 8/16/2013 8:53:00 AM

Though my pain is not visible, and my body seems not to weaken, inside I sit within my own death, struggling to move, to dance like the great swan who I could only hope to meet...Sickness comes in many forms and holds each back from their dreams...But, you cant stop dreaming, no matter what.

Debbie Duncan
Date: 8/16/2013 5:10:00 PM

I think I like your words better then mine ;} thanks for reading Jay ;}

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/15/2013 2:39:00 PM

You must really like swans. I remember this one you wrote and also you told me at my poem today that you liked best the swan ride on the merry go round. I wanted to mention the unicorn in my poem but couldn't work it in!

Laura Breidenthal

Date: 8/6/2013 10:19:00 PM

Gorgeous write. I am at awe of your words. These lines are quite memorable and I like that you referenced a bit of Poe to add to the deathiness and sickliness of the poem. Beautiful.

Debbie Duncan
Date: 8/7/2013 3:36:00 AM

thank you Laura ;}

Duke Beaufort

Date: 8/6/2013 6:24:00 PM

Also your avatar is a little dark on the bottom half. Makes me think of the top half a little like a swan on the water. You definitely have the grace and elegance of one! Keep on dancing!

Debbie Duncan
Date: 8/7/2013 3:40:00 AM

Thanks for reading Duke ;}

Harry Horsman

Date: 8/6/2013 10:19:00 AM

awesome poetry, Debbie, so deep and visual,,,

Sue-Ellen Newman

Date: 8/6/2013 2:00:00 AM

Excellent poem, great use of the metaphors, I pray this is just a poem and you are well, this is a well written reflection of dreams of one living in the house of usher, have a great day, blessings sueellen

Debbie Duncan
Date: 8/7/2013 3:38:00 AM

Thank you Sue- Ellen ;}

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 8/4/2013 7:13:00 PM

Enjoyed reading again, on second read I am moving to my favorites. Thanks for your thoughtful visit. Also rating a 7.

Debbie Duncan
Date: 8/5/2013 4:32:00 PM

Thank you Richard ;}

Jack Ellison

Date: 8/4/2013 5:42:00 PM

As Terry said "eerily wonderful"! I second her motion! Thanks for checking my "Wacko Jacko"! LOL Hugs, Jack xoxox

Jack Ellison
Date: 8/4/2013 5:42:00 PM

"HIS" motion! LOL

Mustapha Mohammed

Date: 8/4/2013 5:18:00 AM

This is impressive Debbie.Really well done.

Debbie Duncan
Date: 8/4/2013 5:03:00 PM

I thank you ;}

Terry O'Leary

Date: 8/4/2013 3:14:00 AM

Eerily wonderful... Terry

Debbie Duncan
Date: 8/4/2013 5:39:00 PM

Thank you Terry ;}

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/4/2013 12:51:00 AM

gosh,I am reading this again and noticing the footnotes this time. Were they there the first time I read it? Sorry if I missed that the first time!! great allegory.

Duke Beaufort

Date: 8/3/2013 7:23:00 PM

Debbie, you have such a range of emotion in all your work. You must be a very empathetic person. Some of us have a big antenna. That is a very good thing. It is a pleasure to see this. Thank-you for all of your comments. You are fresh, honest and kind!

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 8/2/2013 7:28:00 AM

I would remove the explanation, the poem speaks on it's own. Beautiful imagery.

Debbie Duncan
Date: 8/4/2013 5:54:00 PM

Thank Richard ;}

Nette Onclaud

Date: 7/30/2013 11:15:00 AM

sublime and wel expressed; you made me hold my breath, deb... fine, fine write!..:) huggs

Debbie Duncan
Date: 7/30/2013 7:51:00 PM

Thank you nette ;}

Duke Beaufort

Date: 7/30/2013 6:20:00 AM

Debbie, it was the references to dancing that inspired me. The dreams we have and the path we take through life both lead to our demise--sadly. You, I hope will have happy days!

Debbie Duncan
Date: 7/30/2013 6:38:00 AM

Ok, now I get it ;}

Keith Bickerstaffe

Date: 7/29/2013 12:28:00 PM

Unique... and totally captivating! Marvelous phrasing and imagery... BRAVO Debbie! Best wishes, Keith

Debbie Duncan
Date: 7/29/2013 12:37:00 PM

Thank you Keith ;}

Duke Beaufort

Date: 7/29/2013 6:04:00 AM

You have actually inspired my next work of art which will be after the one about pie.

Debbie Duncan
Date: 7/29/2013 12:36:00 PM

Thank you Duke ;}