Home » Poems » Debbie Duncan » The Great Swan

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.

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

D.W. Rodgers

Date: 7/4/2017 8:25:00 AM

Powerful, sad and touching.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 6/6/2017 3:43:00 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!

Vladislav Raven

Date: 5/5/2017 1:08:00 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

Vladislav Raven

Date: 5/5/2017 1:07:00 PM

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 2/11/2016 6:28:00 AM

I was looking through my favorite poems and got to enjoy this one again.

Robert Lindley

Date: 6/20/2014 5:16:00 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!!!

Carol Eastman

Date: 9/4/2013 10:06:00 AM

A facinating piece... Very deep and aluring to read over and over...

Don Johnson

Date: 8/19/2013 6:02:00 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

Jay Loveless

Date: 8/16/2013 8:53:00 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.

Debbie Duncan
Date: 8/16/2013 5:10:00 PM

I think I like your words better then mine ;} thanks for reading Jay ;}

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/15/2013 2:39:00 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!

Laura Breidenthal

Date: 8/6/2013 10:19:00 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.

Debbie Duncan
Date: 8/7/2013 3:36:00 AM

thank you Laura ;}

Duke Beaufort

Date: 8/6/2013 6:24:00 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!

Debbie Duncan
Date: 8/7/2013 3:40:00 AM

Thanks for reading Duke ;}

Harry Horsman

Date: 8/6/2013 10:19:00 AM

awesome poetry, Debbie, so deep and visual,,,

Sue-Ellen Newman

Date: 8/6/2013 2:00:00 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

Debbie Duncan
Date: 8/7/2013 3:38:00 AM

Thank you Sue- Ellen ;}

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 8/4/2013 7:13:00 PM

Enjoyed reading again, on second read I am moving to my favorites. Thanks for your thoughtful visit. Also rating a 7.

Debbie Duncan
Date: 8/5/2013 4:32:00 PM

Thank you Richard ;}

Jack Ellison

Date: 8/4/2013 5:42:00 PM

As Terry said "eerily wonderful"! I second her motion! Thanks for checking my "Wacko Jacko"! LOL Hugs, Jack xoxox

Jack Ellison
Date: 8/4/2013 5:42:00 PM

"HIS" motion! LOL

Mustapha Mohammed

Date: 8/4/2013 5:18:00 AM

This is impressive Debbie.Really well done.

Debbie Duncan
Date: 8/4/2013 5:03:00 PM

I thank you ;}

Terry O'Leary

Date: 8/4/2013 3:14:00 AM

Eerily wonderful... Terry

Debbie Duncan
Date: 8/4/2013 5:39:00 PM

Thank you Terry ;}

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/4/2013 12:51:00 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.

Duke Beaufort

Date: 8/3/2013 7:23:00 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!

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 8/2/2013 7:28:00 AM

I would remove the explanation, the poem speaks on it's own. Beautiful imagery.

Debbie Duncan
Date: 8/4/2013 5:54:00 PM

Thank Richard ;}

Nette Onclaud

Date: 7/30/2013 11:15:00 AM

sublime and wel expressed; you made me hold my breath, deb... fine, fine write!..:) huggs

Debbie Duncan
Date: 7/30/2013 7:51:00 PM

Thank you nette ;}

Duke Beaufort

Date: 7/30/2013 6:20:00 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!

Debbie Duncan
Date: 7/30/2013 6:38:00 AM

Ok, now I get it ;}

Keith Bickerstaffe

Date: 7/29/2013 12:28:00 PM

Unique... and totally captivating! Marvelous phrasing and imagery... BRAVO Debbie! Best wishes, Keith

Debbie Duncan
Date: 7/29/2013 12:37:00 PM

Thank you Keith ;}

Duke Beaufort

Date: 7/29/2013 6:04:00 AM

You have actually inspired my next work of art which will be after the one about pie.

Debbie Duncan
Date: 7/29/2013 12:36:00 PM

Thank you Duke ;}