The Raven and the Writing Desk Haiku variations by Maureen Scott Harris Ink drawings by Kelley Aitken Design by Isabel Stukator
The Hatter opened his eyes very wide on hearing this, but all he said was, “Why is a raven like a writing desk?� Lewis Carroll Alice in Wonderland
barely awake the writing desk frets and whines caught by raven’s voice
there croaks the raven here hunkers the waiting desk articulation
there croaks the raven here hunkers the waiting desk – articulation
my writing desk clowns before the window – longing for raven’s rough call
unlike my cluttered desk the raven and its clatter lifting into flight
unlike my cluttered desk – the raven and its clatter lifting into flight
a dream of ravens skids across the writing desk into the valley
gleaming wings glint then flare raven’s resonant cry breaks the sullen desk’s silence
from the deserted desk raucous unruly quorking as if a raven -
raven - writing desk riding thermals in tandem hold onto your hats!
where the writing desk intercepts the raven, blissful conversation
now the raven is a tumbling inscription on my desk’s stunned surface
morning at the desk mountains and valley find shape graphing raven’s drift
empty desk broods – raven flows along mountains wings turning white
indifferent raven glides above it all the desk mute
indifferent raven glides above it all the desk mute
raven’s easy soar shatters the writing desk – look! valley, mountains, light
barely awake the writing desk frets and whines caught by raven’s voice
The Raven and the Writing Desk was published by JackPine Press in July 2007 in an edition of 75 copies. This is copy _____ Copyright Š Maureen Scott Harris, Kelley Aitken 2007. The haiku were begun at Banff in 1998 and completed in Toronto in 2005. Thanks to the ravens at Banff, as well as to Don McKay and my colleagues in the Writing Studio 1998. Also to Barry Dempster for his editing and Kelley Aitken for her wonderful drawings and the paper cut on the cover. Isabel Stukator provided the design. – MSH Cover paper cut designed by Kelley Aitken; cut by Kelley Aitken, Jessica Harris, and Maureen Scott Harris. Binding by Kelley Aitken, Jessica Harris, and Mauren Scott Harris. Printed in Canada by Sunville Printco Inc., Toronto, Ontario
JackPine Press wishes to acknowledge the financial support of the Saskatchewan Arts Board.
JackPine Press 804 Idylwyld Crescent Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada S7M 0B2 306-653-0575
www.jackpinepress.com jpp@jackpinepress.com