The Black Swan

The Black Swan

written by: Elizabeth Barton

@DestinyAngel25

With uncanny stealth, an eidolon
feathered with paradoxes, it cut
a startling impression, hypnotic
in its urgency, dread with portent,
a dream-shuddered expectancy
hovering in the sleep of the world,
Sibyl of a thousand years.

Disturbed rushes presage its coming,
scattered leaves hasten before the wind.
Its face lies in the moon, night silhouettes its wings;
silvered on oil-dark water, turgid wake
scrawls a lambent sign; a rustling dark form
glides from the other world to touch ours,
a gate slowly opening to uneasy dawn.

The Swan summons the seeds of old storms;
treacherous stars, cavernous suspense
reveals the tooth of the lion, the maw
of reddened fire an awakening of souls;
studded, a million sparks fly on black-feathered
shapes. An army breaks the edge of wonder
to fall like embers on a yawning grate.

Please leave this field empty

NEVER MISS A STORY

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER AND GET THE LATEST LITERARY BUZZ

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

• About
• Latest Posts

Elizabeth Barton

Elizabeth Barton is an artist and poet from New Zealand, with work featured in Pink Plastic House, Fevers of the Mind, Black Bough Poetry, Flight of the Dragonfly Poetry, The Hooghly Review, Vita Brevis Literature, Nothing Divine Dies, and Literary Revelations' inaugural publication, Hidden in Childhood. A winner of the 2020 White Label Cinq competition, her collection Mirrored Time was published in July 2023 by Hedgehog Poetry Press. Elizabeth has authored two further poetry collections, All Revolutions Begin This Way and Auroral, both published by Alien Buddha Press. Her art is in private and public collections worldwide, including the V & A Prints Collection, London.

Latest posts by Elizabeth Barton (see all)

• Find the Magic Wherever You Are - November 3, 2024
• Rain in Pirongia - April 12, 2024
• Delight of Cows - June 14, 2023