It was six years ago today, down to the very minute, if I timed this correctly, that I joined NGA. According to the Members list, I was the 15th person to join the site overall. I was the very first person to post anything in the Art, Flavor, and Storyline thread when I posted this poem:
.
So, with that anniversary looming, I've been thinking about my time here a lot lately, as well as my time before arriving at the Wizards' old boards, my time there, the early days here at NGA, and where we are now. And, considering I had resolved this year to write at least 52 new poems, I thought a poem would be appropriate.
With all of that in mind, here is my poem for the week, and for the occasion.
Where the Raven Flies
Where the Raven flies, through endless dark,
And no tree grows to perch or mark,
Where no flame burns, and no ice thaws,
No stone to echo back his caws,
No ground beneath the ceaseless skies,
Where the Raven flies.
Where the Raven flies without his flock,
No grackle, lark, or
suntail hawk,
He flies with neither goal nor rest,
And tries to build himself a nest,
Behind a blackened veiled disguise,
Where the Raven flies.
Where the Raven flies as dawn draws near,
To birth that brilliant, golden sphere,
Where midnight’s shroud, her endless chill,
Gives way, at last, to daybreak’s thrill,
And now there’s warmth at sun’s first rise,
Where the Raven flies.
Where the Raven flies, with many more,
Who through that golden age can soar,
Above the trees and near the clouds,
In happy throngs of singing crowds,
Their songs and stories form the prize,
Where the Raven flies.
Where the Raven flies as snows began,
And spread as far as eyesights span,
Where wither leaves upon the branch,
Then buried in the avalanche,
That came when all that beauty dies,
Where the Raven flies.
Where the Raven flies, once more to roam,
And find a new, unspoiled home,
Where they could gather, all the birds,
And sing, once more, their precious words,
Away from all the thefts and lies,
Where the Raven flies.
Where the Raven flies, no snow nor ice,
Consumes that promised paradise,
Where sunlight filters through the lens
Of those who share the sky as friends,
A second golden age of highs,
Where the Raven flies.
Where the Raven flies, there’re still no snows,
But every high descends to lows,
It’s true, that second Golden Age,
Must take its bow upon the stage,
And all that’s left will mourn demise,
Where the Raven flies.
Where the Raven flies is quiet now,
With so few nests to weigh the bough,
But birds who’ve sang, then flown away,
May yet return to sing someday,
And so with hope he turns his eyes,
Where the Raven flies.