Saturday, December 6, 2014

I Married A Poet

Feathers

Chad Hanson


For a week, after his tenth birthday, a raven sat outside Garret’s bedroom window. The bird clung to the branch of an elm tree. He cried, K-Caw. K-Caw. Garret’s mother wondered out loud if the bird had lost someone. She said, "It sounds like he is calling somebody." Garret drew a picture of a raven with a black pencil. His mom taped the paper to the bark of the tree. In the morning, they found the image gone. A feather took its place under the tape. He kept it in a box for sixty seven years. Now it is nighttime in the nursing home. He sleeps with the feather on his bed stand. At sunrise, his aid knocks on the door. She finds the room empty, except for a raven on the sill of an open window. Garret holds his place for a moment. He spreads his wings, for practice. Then he takes a step and the wind lifts him from the ledge.

gravel literary journal











 

 

20 comments:

  1. i LOVE it!!!
    by the way, i got your fox card and it was the best thing that welcoming me home! thank you so so so much. i can only imagine that we're at your prairie peeking at the foxes and mustangs. i really love the card. it's so pretty and it's now on the wall beside my table so i can always look at it :) happy holiday, friend.

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    1. Peeking at the foxes and mustangs! Ha! How I love that thought.
      Always nice to see you, Niken. :)

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  2. I love this, truly "on my page". Love to you both xx

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    1. That's very sweet. I'm sure C will appreciate that. ;)
      x

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  3. i must invest in some of chad's writings.
    i believe i would like them….

    xO

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    1. I'm positive you would.
      Maybe santa will drop one down your chimney. Have you been a good coyote girl??
      :)

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  4. Yes, you married a poet. And he married an artist. The two of you are beautiful! xx

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    1. What a glorious thing to say!
      Thank you friend.
      x

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  5. I was going to say the same thing sage and spirit said, about C. being a poet and you an artist! Sounds like you should collaborate on a book... Lovely prose and great photo of the raven.

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    1. Well, aren't you just the nicest! You've always been so supportive, Diana.
      If we do a book, it will definitely be on the Mustangs! We talk about it all the time.
      Thanks! Such encouraging words!

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  6. How romantic. ;). Seriously, to craft a world with words is an amazing, gift. More, from C. please. :)
    Sunday hugs!
    San

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    1. Being a haiku crafter yourself, you know how much it takes...what kind of thought goes into bringing it all together in less than a hundred words!
      Your observation and compliment means everything, San! x

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  7. Holy sweetness. Quiet writing, it's the best. You two make up a talented family!

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    1. Ah, you get it. You described it so excellently!
      That whole little book is full of that stuff!
      That guy...I love his mind.
      Thank you so much, Clare.

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  8. Beautiful...thank you for sharing : )

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  9. wow... your home must light up the night with its artistic aura.
    wishing you creative joy in this holiday season!
    xoxo

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  10. wow....this is gorgeous and oh so powerful and sacred....
    thank you for sharing this today...it took my breath away

    love and light

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  11. This is intriguing and beautiful :), love it!

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