.

Song of the Spirit

After midnight slightly drowsy,
Contemplating writing lousy,
While the script-score I redacted,
Something in my head reacted.
Dreamed I heard a stirring curtain,
Though my mind remained uncertain.
Wondered whence had come the stir,
As upon my feet upspringing,
Heard a hissing and a whir,
Whirring like a bowstring, singing.
Only that but nothing sure.

Heard the wind blow through the larch,
Like fierce winds in early March.
Reeds nearby were blowing bass,
Icicles oft fell from grace.
Worked upon my second canto
At my desk near the piano;
Melody was lightly swinging.
Words at last came in an inkling.
While the lyrics took to winging,
I stared at the vaulted ceiling.
Yet what was that eerie feeling?

Suddenly I felt a presence,
Ruining what once was pleasance,
Rocked my heart with rapid beating.
Next to me on cushioned seating,
Spirit with a fine upbringing
Soothed my soul with her soft singing.
Beautiful piano playing,
Sang my song with words unwritten;
Finished what I had been saying.
I could not help but be smitten—
How I wish that she were staying!

Disappeared as she had come
Leaving me aghast and dumb.
Was I dreaming or awake?
Was it real or all a fake?
Waited long for her encore,
But she came back nevermore.
Then my pen began to soar
Finishing my music score.
Gossamer made hard and real
Heaven that your ears can feel
Echoing forevermore.

.

.

LTC Roy E. Peterson, US Army Military Intelligence and Russian Foreign Area Officer (Retired) has published more than 6,200 poems in 88 of his 112 books. He has been an Army Attaché in Moscow, Commander of INF Portal Monitoring in Votkinsk, first US Foreign Commercial Officer in Vladivostok, Russia and Regional Manager in the Russian Far East for IBM. He holds a BA, Hardin-Simmons University (Political Science); MA, University of Arizona (Political Science); MA, University of Southern California (Int. Relations) and MBA University of Phoenix. He taught at the University of Arizona, Western New Mexico University, University of Maryland, Travel University and the University of Phoenix.

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28 Responses

  1. T. M.

    Roy, your description of your muse’s visit will probably resonate with many poets. I appreciate especially your taking that dark rhythm, which Poe made so familiar as a kind of imposing presence of death, and turning into a source of life and verse. Taking every thought and mood captive for beauty, goodness, and truth. Forevermore. Nicely done.

    Reply
    • Roy Eugene Peterson

      Thank you, T.M., for your kind meaningful comments. I appreciate your thoughts.

      Reply
  2. Russel Winick

    Roy – this is a wonderful telling of where the words can come from sometimes. Most enjoyable!

    Reply
  4. Brian A. Yapko

    Roy, this spooky poem (inspired by Poe’s The Raven?) is a Halloween delight! It gave me a shiver and made me smile.

    Reply
    • Roy Eugene Peterson

      Thank you, Brian, for sharing the smiles and shives. I was honored to have this poem chosen for publication on Halloween.

      Reply
  5. Paul A. Freeman

    In his grave Poe isn’t turning,
    More like he will be returning
    Glad to find a brand new haven
    Bears a poem like his Raven.

    Reply
    • Roy Eugene Peterson

      You have captured the “spirit” of the poem. Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
  6. Jeff Kemper

    Very nice, Roy! Poe has been my favorite poet since before I ever appreciated poetry. As soon as I began to read the first line of your poem, I heard him speaking. As I read further, I was inspired with new ideas for future poetry. Thanks!

    Reply
  7. Margaret Coats

    Roy, as I finish my first reading, the word in mind is “superb.” The tale is anticipated, but much supported and expanded with your details of word choice. I was wondering how much of “The Raven” would come through. I think you made good decisions to place “nevermore” after “her encore,” and go on to your own “score” to eternize the story “forevermore.” Enjoyed this song a great deal.

    Reply
    • Roy Eugene Peterson

      Margaret, I am blessed by your comments and observations. They mean so much to me and I treasure that you enjoyed it.

      Reply
  8. Warren Bonham

    There were some great lines in here. I wish I had a muse like you apparently have. This was a lot of fun to read.

    Reply
    • Roy Eugene Peterson

      Thank you so much, Warren. I do have a realistic muse in mind who happens to sing solo that I have remembered fondly for ages since my days at the university. We have been back in contact after all these years on social media.

      Reply
  9. Joseph S. Salemi

    The muses are the daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne (“Memory”), so when one of them makes this kind of spectacular visit to you it is a real divine intervention in your creative life. Poe’s Raven was a visitation of endless, inescapable grief. Your lady here is a blessing sent upon your art, and you definitely want her to stay.

    And once again, Evan finds a picture that seems to have been deliberately created for this poem.

    Reply
    • Roy Eugene Peterson

      Sometimes when I write, it seems as if I am in a zone and guided by an unseen mind and hand. Often, I complete a poem completely different from the idea with which I began. Indeed, I would love my muse to stay. The picture was perfect for this poem.

      Reply
  10. C.B. Anderson

    This is a departure for you, Roy, and your trochaic lines are a departure from the iambic we almost always see. You broke form in a couple of places, but almost no one will notice. The text was layered and reminded me of exquisite confections alternating with minty chocolates left on a pillow. In a good way, you are out of your mind with this one

    Reply
    • Roy Eugene Peterson

      Bless you, C.B., for your wonderful comments. The confections and chocolates on a pillow are a great way to present pleasant feelings. I love the observation that I was out of my mind.

      Reply
  11. Cynthia Erlandson

    What a beautiful echo of Poe (“Only that but nothing sure” made me catch my breath!) — yet at the same time, very much your own poem, with a very different kind of “presence” than Poe’s raven. “Gossamer made hard and real” is a terrific line! The poem sounds truly inspired!

    Reply
    • Roy Eugene Peterson

      Cynthia, I am so pleased with your kind comments. The “echo of Poe” is a wonderful way to analyze this poem, and I thank you for considering it inspired. My muse thanks you.

      Reply
  12. Gigi Ryan

    Dear Roy,

    Eight words in I had The Raven’s rhythm. I enjoyed every bite of this delicious piece. You had some especially fun rhymes – redacted/reacted, presence/pleasance. My favorite (and most relatable line) was “Contemplating writing lousy.”
    Thank you very much.
    Gigi

    Reply
    • Roy Eugene Peterson

      Gigi, your comments mean a lot to me with your mention of the rhythm and the rhyming words! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts.

      Reply
  13. Isabella

    I enjoyed reading your wonderful poem so much! So ingenious to combine the spirit of Halloween with the visit of your muse, so while it evoked shivers down the spine it lifted with hope in the final verse. The picture accompanies the poem perfectly.

    Reply
    • Roy Eugene Peterson

      Isabella, I appreciate your kind comments and the feelings you expressed.

      Reply
  14. David Whippman

    Thanks for this delightful poem. It was perfect for Halloween, and a fitting tribute to Poe.

    Reply
  15. Roy Eugene Peterson

    David, those words are well appreciated. Thank you for mentioning Halloween and Poe.

    Reply
  16. Susan Jarvis Bryant

    Roy, as a fan of Poe, this wonderful poem has turned my head – it’s perfect for Halloween… and any other day of the year. Thank you!

    Reply

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