Ten Black Ravens


Ten Black Ravens


Ten black ravens
Sitting on a line
One flew off
And then there were nine

Nine black ravens
Looking for a mate
One found a lover
And then there were eight

Eight black ravens
Bound for hell and heaven
One found a soul to take
And then there were seven

Seven black ravens
Decide to play some tricks
One transformed into a man
And then there were six

Six black ravens 
Barely left alive
One got deathly ill
And then there were five

Five black ravens
Cried out nevermore
One went a-knocking 
And then there were four

Four black ravens
Perched on hangman's tree
One got tangled in the rope
And then there were three

Three black ravens
With nothing left to do
One fed upon a knight
And then there were two

Two black ravens
Playing with Odin's son
One forgot to come home again
And then there was one

One black raven
Knowing night was done
Went off to greet the sunrise
And then there were none


Words: ©2017LCR
Image: ©Lindsey Kustusch, All Rights Remain with Original Artist
Linked to: Poet's United - Poetry Pantry #497

Comments

  1. Well THAT was really fun! Your poem made me smile.

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    1. Thank you so much. I had fun writing it too! :)

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  2. This was a fun read, though the poor ravens were not having an easy time. LOL.

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  3. I really like this.. and of course it reminds me of the poem in the Agatha Christie's Novel "and then there were none" which has the poem ten little Indians.

    Ten little Indian boys went out to dine;
    One choked his little self and then there were nine.
    Nine little Indian boys sat up very late;
    One overslept himself and then there were eight.
    Eight little Indian boys traveling in Devon;
    One said he'd stay there and then there were seven.
    Seven little Indian boys chopping up sticks;
    One chopped himself in halves and then there were six.
    Six little Indian boys playing with a hive;
    A bumblebee stung one and then there were five.
    Five little Indian boys going in for law;
    One got in Chancery and then there were four.
    Four little Indian boys going out to sea;
    A red herring swallowed one and then there were three.
    Three little Indian boys walking in the zoo;
    A big bear hugged one and then there were two.
    Two Little Indian boys sitting in the sun;
    One got frizzled up and then there was one.
    One little Indian boy left all alone;
    He went out and hanged himself and then there were none.

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    1. Yes! That is the exact poem I was thinking about when I wrote it. Except instead of Indians it became Ravens and their legends and mythology woven through it. My homage to children's counting rhymes.

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  4. I love this in the 'wish I wrote it' kind of way. I love the surprises and nursery rhyme rhythm.

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    1. Thank you so much! That is a compliment indeed!

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  5. I enjoyed your tale of 10 ravens and I find rhymes delightful.

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  6. Wonderful work, Lori! I didn't want the countdown to end. Salute!
    You might enjoy this: https://wordpress.com/posts/rlavalette.wordpress.com?s=drip

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    1. Thank you! (I keep trying the link but it keeps asking me to sign up for an account? What is the title of the post and I'll look it up)

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    2. Sorry. It's called "On A Wire". Find it HERE: https://rlavalette.wordpress.com/2018/06/26/on-a-wire/

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  7. What a fun take on the counting rhyme @

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  8. Really fun to read. I found myself anticipating what would happen to the next raven and looking forward to the rhyme.

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  9. This is a wonderful write Lori! I absolutely love it!!

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  10. I loved this. It read as if you were recounting an already existing mythology or folk rhyme.

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    1. Thank you! I think there's quite a few variations of this theme.

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  11. They should teach your poem in school! If they don't mind the little dark parts. :)

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  12. Can I read that to my grandchildren?

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    1. I would think so. Children's literature is strewn with dark stories.

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  13. I love this - like a really good legend

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  14. Fantastic, Lori!! This one I liked so much:

    Seven black ravens
    Decide to play some tricks
    One transformed into a man
    And then there were six

    I wonder where the man went! lol

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    1. Lol! I wonder the same thing and whether he longs to be a Raven again!

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