by Michael Plante

The howling wake returned an answer
to a riddle I asked many years ago.
The feather did falter and was lost in the night
never to return to the river’s edge.

The incumbent star of spirits passed
holds secure the lasting light
forever reminding us
where the river is.

Trickery or tomfoolery trips the mind
stumbling behind the shadows of the night
I peer into the river’s deep
only to find myself asleep.

Somewhere between dawn and the spirit world
holds the howling wake’s consciousness.
A barren field to those without dreams
or a light to guide the shadows of the night.

I lay upon the river’s edge
gently touching the water’s reflection
ripple the mind to stir the wake
and dream of the feather that falters the darkness.

Away the river’s edge falls at dawn
dreams of another day prevail.
The howling wake whispers no more
for the feather I now hold has silenced the night.

The Howling Wake Returns is a response from The Howling Wake which was posted on The Poet’s House November 17, 2023.
Thank you for visiting The Poet’s House.