Black Swan

32" polychrome kou, 2008
Swan concerns could not be organized
in the swamp of the Black Swan’s instincts.
The bugling call of her wedge in flight didn’t compel her.
Soft crooning did not tickle her ‘neath her quivering feathers.
Only the whistling warnings of wary Blacks startled her to flee.

She could not find herself among them,
so alike they are to one another.
Where was the uniqueness
that made her feel so strongly different?

Her neck is sunk for shame
into the cavity of her shoulders.
she cannot move her head
without cranking up an absent will.
Is her cygnet-self so strong?


Something once small, gray-feathered and sweet
felt imposed upon as she cowered
‘neath a black and threatening cloud of indistinguishable wings.
She panicked in the strange familiarity.

Her unquenchable spirit is roused by her dilemma.
It yawns and stretches,
smoothing out the creases of her serpentine neck.
She takes pleasure in the flock of mirrors above and around her.
She rises, broad-winged, out of the trap of her individuality
into the singularity of her communal flight.

Listen to Charlanne read this poem. Click here.

Giraffe Goddess

22" polychrome & laminate wood, 2002
Photo credit: Cliff Pfeiffer

I am the Masked Goddess.

In the image of the Giraffe I make my influence known.

The giraffe speaks in a quiet voice so listen carefully for mine;

it may come out of your ears,

not into them.

Are you ready?

We will walk together.

I move quickly.

Are you fearful? Don’t be a statue. Don’t turn around.

Fear makes foolishness.

The lion’s always in the grass but it is wary of my smarting hooves.

Where are we going?

Wherever you say.

I listen with anticipation.

Listen to Charlanne read this poem. Click here