The original version of The Swallow and the Blackbird has been published in All of Me Vol. V, courtesy of Shadow Spark Publishing. Featured art is by Brooke Shaden.

Listen to The Swallow and the Blackbird by Richard Charles Stevens (A New Day Suite)

Listen to A New Day by ORAX

Dwarfing space
Relacing time
The swallow and the blackbird climb
.
Riddle me this
A keepsake kiss to remember you by when I’m gone
Should I die then I won’t be gone long
For I know now of where I belong
Having heard the blackbird in full song
.
I know now of where I belong
Having heard the blackbird in full song
.
(It was)
It was snagged on a bough in the here and the now
Then appeared to have since fled the scene
(It was)
It was everywhere about me yet unseen
Thus profoundly I proceeded kneeling in the quilted leaves
Gazed up at the wilting trees and still they painted evergreen
The same portrait that hung in pride of place within forever dreams
While wide awake my eyes relayed the hideaway a child once claimed
A secret place where fireflies traced the outline of two highs embraced
This tidal wave wed bridle reins of idle days and cycle lanes
Of pirate raids and tire chain smiles
That pulled taut thoughts that sprawled for miles
.
While wide awake my eyes relayed the hideaway a child once claimed
A secret place where fireflies traced the outline of two highs embraced
This tidal wave wed bridle reins of idle days and cycle lanes
Of pirate raids and tire chain smiles
That pulled taut thoughts that sprawled for miles
.
Riddle me this
A keepsake kiss to remember you by when I’m gone
Should I die then I won’t be gone long
For I know now of where I belong
Having heard the blackbird in full song
Having heard the blackbird in full song
.
I know now of where I belong
Having heard the blackbird in full song
.
Honest to a fault
No mortal fraught or taught denial
Two bottle rockets caught between their altered course awhile
And when the night became of day
We huddled in our haven safe
Within the hollow of the oak
The swallow and the blackbird woke
The only home they’d known was here
A vicious gust had blown them clear
The wind pinned back their only hope
To snatch and catch a single tear
To carry forth a souvenir
Before their ashes disappeared
Gazed up at the wilting trees and still they painted evergreen
The same portrait that hung in pride of place within forever dream
While wide awake my eyes relayed the hideaway a child once claimed
A secret place where fireflies traced the outline of two highs embraced
This tidal wave wed bridle reins of idle days and cycle lanes
Of pirate raids and tire chain smiles
That pulled taut thoughts that sprawled for miles
.
Riddle me this
A keepsake kiss to remember you by when I’m gone
Should I die then I won’t be gone long
For I know now of where I belong
Of the heart inside still beating strong
Having heard the blackbird in full song
.
Returned to hear the blackbird sing
To learn the secret of its wing
To turn my eye towards the skies
As high above the quartz
It flies
Dwarfing space
Relacing time
The swallow and the blackbird climb
Dwarfing space
Relacing time
The swallow and the blackbird climb
The swallow and the blackbird climb
.

Richard Charles Stevens

Keeper of The Crimson Quill

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