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.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013

Poem

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12
Rodgers Avatar
July 4, 2017 at 8:25 AM
Powerful, sad and touching.
Dietrich Avatar
June 6, 2017 at 3:43 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!
Raven Avatar
May 5, 2017 at 1:08 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
Raven Avatar
May 5, 2017 at 1:07 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
Lamoureux Avatar
February 11, 2016 at 6:28 AM
I was looking through my favorite poems and got to enjoy this one again.
Lindley Avatar
June 20, 2014 at 5:16 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!!!
Eastman Avatar
September 4, 2013 at 10:06 AM
A facinating piece... Very deep and aluring to read over and over...
Johnson Avatar
August 19, 2013 at 6:02 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
Loveless Avatar
August 16, 2013 at 8:53 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.
Duncan Avatar
August 16, 2013 at 5:10 PM
I think I like your words better then mine ;} thanks for reading Jay ;}
Dietrich Avatar
August 15, 2013 at 2:39 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!
Breidenthal Avatar
August 6, 2013 at 10:19 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.
Duncan Avatar
August 7, 2013 at 3:36 AM
thank you Laura ;}
Beaufort Avatar
August 6, 2013 at 6:24 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!
Duncan Avatar
August 7, 2013 at 3:40 AM
Thanks for reading Duke ;}
Horsman Avatar
August 6, 2013 at 10:19 AM
awesome poetry, Debbie, so deep and visual,,,
Newman Avatar
August 6, 2013 at 2:00 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
Duncan Avatar
August 7, 2013 at 3:38 AM
Thank you Sue- Ellen ;}
Lamoureux Avatar
August 4, 2013 at 7:13 PM
Enjoyed reading again, on second read I am moving to my favorites. Thanks for your thoughtful visit. Also rating a 7.
Duncan Avatar
August 5, 2013 at 4:32 PM
Thank you Richard ;}
Ellison Avatar
August 4, 2013 at 5:42 PM
As Terry said "eerily wonderful"! I second her motion! Thanks for checking my "Wacko Jacko"! LOL Hugs, Jack xoxox
Ellison Avatar
August 4, 2013 at 5:42 PM
"HIS" motion! LOL
Mohammed Avatar
August 4, 2013 at 5:18 AM
This is impressive Debbie.Really well done.
Duncan Avatar
August 4, 2013 at 5:03 PM
I thank you ;}
O'Leary Avatar
August 4, 2013 at 3:14 AM
Eerily wonderful... Terry
Duncan Avatar
August 4, 2013 at 5:39 PM
Thank you Terry ;}
Dietrich Avatar
August 4, 2013 at 12:51 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.
Beaufort Avatar
August 3, 2013 at 7:23 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!
Lamoureux Avatar
August 2, 2013 at 7:28 AM
I would remove the explanation, the poem speaks on it's own. Beautiful imagery.
Duncan Avatar
August 4, 2013 at 5:54 PM
Thank Richard ;}
Onclaud Avatar
July 30, 2013 at 11:15 AM
sublime and wel expressed; you made me hold my breath, deb... fine, fine write!..:) huggs
Duncan Avatar
July 30, 2013 at 7:51 PM
Thank you nette ;}
Beaufort Avatar
July 30, 2013 at 6:20 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!
Duncan Avatar
July 30, 2013 at 6:38 AM
Ok, now I get it ;}
Bickerstaffe Avatar
July 29, 2013 at 12:28 PM
Unique... and totally captivating! Marvelous phrasing and imagery... BRAVO Debbie! Best wishes, Keith
Duncan Avatar
July 29, 2013 at 12:37 PM
Thank you Keith ;}
Beaufort Avatar
July 29, 2013 at 6:04 AM
You have actually inspired my next work of art which will be after the one about pie.
Duncan Avatar
July 29, 2013 at 12:36 PM
Thank you Duke ;}
12
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