Who Gives Kudos: Richard Dan.. (1) Sandi (1) Francoise (1) Katharine (1) Michele A. (1) Rachael (1) Wandering t.. (1) In light an.. (1) (1) Daniela Vo.. (1) Indigo Raven (1) Joy (1) ari[elle]mn.. (1)

	Richard Dante Salinas ΔΨΑ Richard Salinas	your level of writing is something to aspire to   Posted by Richard Dante Salinas ΔΨΑ on March 19, 2009 - Thursday - 9:16 PM [Reply to this]

	Zahhar Erin Thomas	Really appreciate the kind words, Richard. And the poem appreciates them too. Nice boost for the day, for both of us. :)   Posted by Zahhar on March 20, 2009 - Friday - 4:36 AM [Reply to this]

	Francoise	A very atmospheric sound and poem.   Posted by Francoise on March 19, 2009 - Thursday - 10:12 PM [Reply to this]

	Zahhar Erin Thomas	I've attempted in the past to capture through metaphoric imagery the sound and effect of raven song on my mind and heart. It's not easy. Though each time I take a stab at it I think I get a bit closer. Thanks for your thoughts!   Posted by Zahhar on March 20, 2009 - Friday - 4:37 AM [Reply to this]

	Katharine Katharine Hemingway	i too love ravens ,so does my mum, i thought of her when i read this:)   Posted by Katharine on March 19, 2009 - Thursday - 11:26 PM [Reply to this]

	Zahhar Erin Thomas	They are neat creatures, aren't they. :) They've inspired a bunch of writes and lines out of me over the years. Glad you enjoyed, Katharine!   Posted by Zahhar on March 20, 2009 - Friday - 4:38 AM [Reply to this]

	Michele A.	Zahhar, I love the images in this piece...it says so much in so few words...one of my favorite pieces of poetry since I was a child is Poe's "The Raven"... the kudos bar is not working...MySpace is at it again :( wishing you peace always, Michele ~   Posted by Michele A. on March 20, 2009 - Friday - 12:02 AM [Reply to this]

	Zahhar Erin Thomas	The kudos and the line breaks! It took me a while to figure out how to get a single space between lines in my comments since... whenever it was some unknowable thing happened here that caused them to go bonkers. Poe's "The Raven" casts the bird in a pretty negative light, and it doesn't demonstrate an observation or understanding of the raven's natural behavior. I agree that it's a very well written poem, and one that should still be read to the ends of English, but because of my strong affinity with the raven, I have a hard time feeling a sense of affinity toward a poem that casts them in a negative superstitious light. :-/ I think I have yet to post a terzanelle I wrote years ago that's dedicated to the raven spirit, or as most Native Americans would put it, dedicated to Raven. Thanks again, Michele, for reading, enjoying, and sharing your thoughts! :)   Posted by Zahhar on March 20, 2009 - Friday - 4:44 AM [Reply to this]

	Erin Erin Beni	how banal...describe the pits in the black surface of the stone a bit more, why dontcha? blarg eccentric rings that 'wimple bits of light'? :(   Posted by Erin on March 20, 2009 - Friday - 3:39 AM [Reply to this]

	Zahhar Erin Thomas	Well I thought of 'shards' of light, since the raven's beak is like a shard of obsidian, and obsidian reflects light. Maybe I'll change that. Thanks for the feedback, Erin, and for making me think more deeply about my choice of words and inspiring what I think is a good edit.   Posted by Zahhar on March 20, 2009 - Friday - 4:47 AM [Reply to this]

	In light and love Lynda Filler	pefect!   Posted by In light and love on March 20, 2009 - Friday - 4:14 AM [Reply to this]

	Zahhar Erin Thomas	:)   Posted by Zahhar on March 20, 2009 - Friday - 4:48 AM [Reply to this]

	Zahhar Erin Thomas	The bad omen associations I've noticed are common. I forget which culture my favorite associations come from, but I think it's one of the Native American cultures. It has to do with numbers. The presence of a single raven without companions is thought to be a particularly bad omen, specifically in relation to low rainfall, pestilence, and/or famine. This is because ravens are social birds, and almost always have at least one significant other and a near relative around--So when food and water resources are plentiful, there should be at least three. Two ravens is considered a lesser omen, more of a warning. Conserve, preserve, be careful because there may be a near lack of plenty. But it should be possible for all involved to survive it if everyone shares resources and is careful. Three or more ravens is considered a positive omen. They're eating and healthy, so it should be that we ourselves will have plenty. :)   Posted by Zahhar on March 20, 2009 - Friday - 8:52 PM [Reply to this]

	Daniela Voicu( flavia felix) Daniela Voicu	wonderful images by words! Congrats!   Posted by Daniela Voicu( flavia felix) on March 20, 2009 - Friday - 6:44 PM [Reply to this]

	Zahhar Erin Thomas	Thanks, Daniela! :)   Posted by Zahhar on March 20, 2009 - Friday - 8:54 PM [Reply to this]

	Ron Ron Stoutenburg	I freaking love this one. Nice mental journey in a short piece.   Posted by Ron on March 23, 2009 - Monday - 10:29 PM [Reply to this]

	Zahhar Erin Thomas	Cool! Thanks! I'm glad you like this one. :)   Posted by Zahhar on March 24, 2009 - Tuesday - 3:41 AM [Reply to this]

	alan alan polson	good   Posted by alan on March 25, 2009 - Wednesday - 12:03 PM [Reply to this]

	Zahhar Erin Thomas	Thanks   Posted by Zahhar on March 28, 2009 - Saturday - 4:43 AM [Reply to this]

	Jessica Lynne	What beautiful distractions from everyday life animals are; they reconnect us to what we gravitate from everyday. An airy and delicate piece. ~Jess   Posted by Jessica Lynne on March 28, 2009 - Saturday - 4:02 PM [Reply to this]

	Zahhar Erin Thomas	Jess! It's really nice to hear from you. :) Yes! "Beautiful distractions", good way to put it. And when we meditate on our fellow animals and their behaviors, I believe they do connect us to some of what we gravitate from. But, what are we gravitating from, exactly? :) Thanks for reading, Jess, and for allowing me the pleasure of your thoughts.   Posted by Zahhar on March 30, 2009 - Monday - 1:01 AM [Reply to this]

	Francoise	Birds are carriers of messages and dancers of freedom. They belong in all art, especially poetry. Loved this.   Posted by Francoise on March 30, 2009 - Monday - 5:45 PM [Reply to this]

	Zahhar Erin Thomas	Here here, and here. Agreed. :) Thanks for reading!   Posted by Zahhar on April 1, 2009 - Wednesday - 4:12 AM [Reply to this]

	ari[elle]mnop♥ Arielle Minicozzi	lovely   Posted by ari[elle]mnop♥ on March 31, 2009 - Tuesday - 6:40 PM [Reply to this]

	Zahhar Erin Thomas	Thanksy!   Posted by Zahhar on April 1, 2009 - Wednesday - 4:12 AM [Reply to this]

	CONNIE	I enjoyed this. Raven's are highly intelligent. In northern regions they have been observed to hunt cooperatively with wolves. Ravens will alert wolves to prey, wait for the kill, then feed. Wolves and ravens have also been seen to engage in playful behavior with each other, ravens swooping down at the wolves, who will chase them playfully. Wonderful memories   Posted by CONNIE on April 2, 2009 - Thursday - 4:08 PM [Reply to this]

	Zahhar Erin Thomas	This post led me to find some reading about wolves and ravens. Turns out that ravens have even been known to hunt cooperatively with humans! They'd indicate the presence of pray by curving their flight in a certain way over the trees, and knowing hunters would take the cue and find what the raven was telling them about. It didn't mention whether or not the humans shared anything with the raven after making their kill, but I'm going to guess they did, or the ravens wouldn't have continued assisting their efforts. Yes! Very, very, very sharp birds. I always feel like I've been noticed by a wise old soul whenever one cocks its head and takes a good look at me down on the grown below it's shrewd obsidian beak.   Posted by Zahhar on April 7, 2009 - Tuesday - 6:58 AM [Reply to this]