A Murder Most Fowl
It's best to be happy with who--or what--we are...138 total reviews
Comment from Patrick G Cox
Hi Dean Kuch,
A good tale told in a poetic way, with the crow (which a lot of folk confuse with the Raven, also a member of the 'Crow' family) doing a good job of talking himself out of a meal. The Raven gets its reputation as a harbinger of catastrophe in Europe and the British Isles thanks to the Vikings, who carried them in their ships. When released, the bird would fly upwards, and, if it could see land, made a beeline for the land - and the Vikings followed.
So, if you were working in your fields and saw a raven come barrelling in off the sea, you grabbed your family and possessions and headed for the hills, knowing the Vikings would be only an hour or so behind the bird. Later they became feared as, after a major battle, flocks would gather over the battle field, and in medieval times, the practice of hanging criminals in cages at the crossroads of major highways, also attracting flocks of crows and ravens, simply reinforced the association with death and catastrophe.
This is why they are often associated with witchcraft, evil magicians and general malevolence in European folk tales. That probably came to the US with the Pilgrim Fathers and other settlers.
They actually feed and keep Ravens at the Tower of London, since legend says if the Ravens leave, the kingdom will fall. Again, the original Ravens probably gathered around it because of the offal and good feeding they found there ...
Patrick
reply by the author on 31-Mar-2014
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Hi Dean Kuch,
A good tale told in a poetic way, with the crow (which a lot of folk confuse with the Raven, also a member of the 'Crow' family) doing a good job of talking himself out of a meal. The Raven gets its reputation as a harbinger of catastrophe in Europe and the British Isles thanks to the Vikings, who carried them in their ships. When released, the bird would fly upwards, and, if it could see land, made a beeline for the land - and the Vikings followed.
So, if you were working in your fields and saw a raven come barrelling in off the sea, you grabbed your family and possessions and headed for the hills, knowing the Vikings would be only an hour or so behind the bird. Later they became feared as, after a major battle, flocks would gather over the battle field, and in medieval times, the practice of hanging criminals in cages at the crossroads of major highways, also attracting flocks of crows and ravens, simply reinforced the association with death and catastrophe.
This is why they are often associated with witchcraft, evil magicians and general malevolence in European folk tales. That probably came to the US with the Pilgrim Fathers and other settlers.
They actually feed and keep Ravens at the Tower of London, since legend says if the Ravens leave, the kingdom will fall. Again, the original Ravens probably gathered around it because of the offal and good feeding they found there ...
Patrick
Comment Written 31-Mar-2014
reply by the author on 31-Mar-2014
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Very interesting, Patrick, thank you. I enjoyed that very much! I appreciate the history lesson.
Comment from jadapenn
I enjoyed your poem, Dean. Well written and interesting as were your author notes. Here, in South Africa we just see them as birds who clean up all the mess of little animals the cars killed during the night. They can be taught to talk a bit. Your story was interesting about the young crow learning to fly. Well done. luv jada
reply by the author on 31-Mar-2014
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I enjoyed your poem, Dean. Well written and interesting as were your author notes. Here, in South Africa we just see them as birds who clean up all the mess of little animals the cars killed during the night. They can be taught to talk a bit. Your story was interesting about the young crow learning to fly. Well done. luv jada
Comment Written 31-Mar-2014
reply by the author on 31-Mar-2014
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Thanks jada, I really appreciate your kind comments
Comment from ravenblack
I really like how you have managed to write this one as spiritual in the traditional sense of passing to another plane while keeping it completely grounded in Native Merican lore. And thank you for emphasizing uthe positive associations that many cultures have with crow and raven. It really read like folklore. And Raven, the trickster at the end- really, she may not have died at all. She may be a raven dreaming of being human or this could even be a creation tale for raven. Just please, please change the title. The corny pun does not really fit the poem at all.
reply by the author on 31-Mar-2014
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I really like how you have managed to write this one as spiritual in the traditional sense of passing to another plane while keeping it completely grounded in Native Merican lore. And thank you for emphasizing uthe positive associations that many cultures have with crow and raven. It really read like folklore. And Raven, the trickster at the end- really, she may not have died at all. She may be a raven dreaming of being human or this could even be a creation tale for raven. Just please, please change the title. The corny pun does not really fit the poem at all.
Comment Written 31-Mar-2014
reply by the author on 31-Mar-2014
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Thanks, ravenblack. I'll think of something for the title. I'm glad you enjoyed the poem, however.
Comment from Bryana
I've always love birds and crows are some of my best friends. It's incredible how smart they are! Once I gave them a piece of bread that was rather hard, no problem they took it and dunk them in the water and ate it.
I hope people don't talk bad about these birds so that children are afraid of them.
I like your writing very much, one of my favorite subject is about birds.
reply by the author on 31-Mar-2014
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I've always love birds and crows are some of my best friends. It's incredible how smart they are! Once I gave them a piece of bread that was rather hard, no problem they took it and dunk them in the water and ate it.
I hope people don't talk bad about these birds so that children are afraid of them.
I like your writing very much, one of my favorite subject is about birds.
Comment Written 31-Mar-2014
reply by the author on 31-Mar-2014
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Thank very much, Bryana. I'm really happy you liked it and I'm grateful for your kind comments.
Comment from Margaret Snowdon
Raven woke, then small voice spoke - 'Twas just a dream of dying~
in human form your wings were shorn ~ your spirit, stripped of flying.
Tucked in the trees breathing cool breeze this fair raven now knows,
that life is good within the wood with her murder of crows.
as always, perfectly written, the rhythm and rhyme flowing smoothly -- the only thing I would question is --
this FAIR raven - would it not be better to say DARK since it's black?
Margaret
reply by the author on 31-Mar-2014
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Raven woke, then small voice spoke - 'Twas just a dream of dying~
in human form your wings were shorn ~ your spirit, stripped of flying.
Tucked in the trees breathing cool breeze this fair raven now knows,
that life is good within the wood with her murder of crows.
as always, perfectly written, the rhythm and rhyme flowing smoothly -- the only thing I would question is --
this FAIR raven - would it not be better to say DARK since it's black?
Margaret
Comment Written 31-Mar-2014
reply by the author on 31-Mar-2014
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Thanks for taking the time to read and review this one for me, Margaret. I really appreciate it, and I'll look into that.
Comment from TAB_that's me
This is a beautifully written poem and I'm glad it was only the raven's dream:) This tale kept my attention from the beginning to the end. Wonderful descriptive verse.
Teresa
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2014
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This is a beautifully written poem and I'm glad it was only the raven's dream:) This tale kept my attention from the beginning to the end. Wonderful descriptive verse.
Teresa
Comment Written 31-Mar-2014
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2014
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Thanks so much, Teresa. I am really glad that you liked this one. I sincerely appreciate those six stars, too!
Comment from GE Parson
That was an interesting bit of information. Now I'm wondering if you are a native American? and if so of what tribe are you. OI have an adopted granddaughter who nis 1/4 cherokee and my Dad always claimed to have sprig of Iowa Indian in our blood.
Good poem an very informative. Have a good week and better yet be good this week LOL
Your Friend, Jerry
reply by the author on 31-Mar-2014
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That was an interesting bit of information. Now I'm wondering if you are a native American? and if so of what tribe are you. OI have an adopted granddaughter who nis 1/4 cherokee and my Dad always claimed to have sprig of Iowa Indian in our blood.
Good poem an very informative. Have a good week and better yet be good this week LOL
Your Friend, Jerry
Comment Written 31-Mar-2014
reply by the author on 31-Mar-2014
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Thank you very much, Jerry, I'm glad you enjoyed this one. I am 1/4 Comanche Indian on my mother's side, and German on my dad's. Strange combination, wouldn't you say?
Comment from Auroraboreal800
Love the atmosphere of the poem. It's so enchanting and filled with spiritual symbolism. I like the structure of the written. This is very enjoyable!
Excellent job Dean!
:)
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2014
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Love the atmosphere of the poem. It's so enchanting and filled with spiritual symbolism. I like the structure of the written. This is very enjoyable!
Excellent job Dean!
:)
Comment Written 31-Mar-2014
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2014
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Thank you so much, Aurora. I am very glad you enjoyed it. I appreciate the kind review!
Comment from James Dooney
Ah the dreamweaver ! And yes murder is one of those surely callous acts yes ! I like what you did here with this.. Good work indeed !
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2014
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Ah the dreamweaver ! And yes murder is one of those surely callous acts yes ! I like what you did here with this.. Good work indeed !
Comment Written 31-Mar-2014
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2014
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Thanks a million, James. I'm really glad you liked it.
Comment from Eternal Muse
Oh, that was gorgeous, Dean! The presentation is phenomenal. I love black ravens! To me, they signify power. The legend goes that Queen Elizabeth I, after the death of her favorite, Earl of Leicester, believed that his spirit reincarnated in her pet black raven. She kept the bird in a golden cage, always by her side, and even rumored to talk to him.
So many great thoughts here. Superb visuals. Wonderful rhyming and flow, and the award-winning picture.
My favorite lines:
Tormented girl - with arms unfurled - drew closer to the edge;
I hear you not, all life has wrought soon ends, once off this ledge!
She braced, then jumped- her heartbeat pumped- as gravity took hold.
Nothing she feared as boulders neared - black raven's voice echoed...
And you packed the surprise for the end, saying that it was only a dream of dying:
'Twas just a dream of dying~
in human form your wings were shorn ~ your spirit, stripped of flying.
Tucked in the trees breathing cool breeze this fair raven now knows,
that life is good within the wood with her murder of crows.
There were a few meter issues, forgive the meter buff in me (lol). A couple of suggestions:
[The] Raven woke, then small voice spoke - 'Twas just a dream of dying~
And it was definitely off in these lines:
Most magnificent precipice yawned o'er grassy hill--
a chasm vast where souls at last relinquished all free will.
Suggestion:
The most divine of precipices has yawned o'er grassy hill--
a potent chasm where souls at last relinquished all free will.
Tucked in the trees breathing cool breeze this fair raven now knows,
How about:
Tucked in the trees to breathe cool breeze this fair raven now knows
What a profound achievement, this is, indeed.
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2014
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Oh, that was gorgeous, Dean! The presentation is phenomenal. I love black ravens! To me, they signify power. The legend goes that Queen Elizabeth I, after the death of her favorite, Earl of Leicester, believed that his spirit reincarnated in her pet black raven. She kept the bird in a golden cage, always by her side, and even rumored to talk to him.
So many great thoughts here. Superb visuals. Wonderful rhyming and flow, and the award-winning picture.
My favorite lines:
Tormented girl - with arms unfurled - drew closer to the edge;
I hear you not, all life has wrought soon ends, once off this ledge!
She braced, then jumped- her heartbeat pumped- as gravity took hold.
Nothing she feared as boulders neared - black raven's voice echoed...
And you packed the surprise for the end, saying that it was only a dream of dying:
'Twas just a dream of dying~
in human form your wings were shorn ~ your spirit, stripped of flying.
Tucked in the trees breathing cool breeze this fair raven now knows,
that life is good within the wood with her murder of crows.
There were a few meter issues, forgive the meter buff in me (lol). A couple of suggestions:
[The] Raven woke, then small voice spoke - 'Twas just a dream of dying~
And it was definitely off in these lines:
Most magnificent precipice yawned o'er grassy hill--
a chasm vast where souls at last relinquished all free will.
Suggestion:
The most divine of precipices has yawned o'er grassy hill--
a potent chasm where souls at last relinquished all free will.
Tucked in the trees breathing cool breeze this fair raven now knows,
How about:
Tucked in the trees to breathe cool breeze this fair raven now knows
What a profound achievement, this is, indeed.
Comment Written 31-Mar-2014
reply by the author on 01-Apr-2014
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Wow, such an in depth review, yeltel! I always love to get reviews such as yours, with constructive suggestions to improve it. I did make some revisions, and I think you'd like it much better now. Thanks so much again for everything!