Arthurian (Owl Canyon)

/ Daniel Swearingen


“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed.” –Albert Einstein

The ghost sum together in the thin early morning beam of light. Their spirits look like a sharpened sword streaking across the sky burying its point into the western red rock face of the canyon. Owls returning to their nest underneath the cliffs, circle the blade of light until it shows buried to its hilt, forming the brief illusion of a star of light.

On my knees,

In the canyon of the owls of purgatory, those that see what I cannot see. Comes the scepter reaching forward by the grace of what is she. Is your sun a path of mercy, cross those eastern skies it springs. Thus I pray, let me be silent, before your turning majesty.  By thy quietness, in thy beauty, what must I see that you bequeathed?  Is it something predatory wanting blood from me? Are you wisdom, are you creepy, do you celebrate disharmony? Are you like that old story from my childhood, thine is the glory, I a servant beneath thy feet? So here, I kneel feeling foolish in Owl Canyon, with a light that I see. Translucent inside of me.

On my knees,

In this canyon, there are lions, those that hunt incessantly. They are archetypes of the dragon when they run, their kill they see. Nevertheless, no lion do I see, no not nothing of a mission for me. What would you have me do, without a faith or knighthood? Should I pray thy angels down? With what would I speak, when I feel my soul has drowned? Underneath thy open skies, with what should I see? The best in this canyon I feel is an inner child of mediocrity. Adonai reverse this sight for me. It is so hard not to see. Impatience rules the man in me.

On my knees,

The rising sun gathers a thin cloud across its midriff, casting a long dark belt of a shadow across the western red rock face of the canyon. Above the dark division, the rocks glow red as if they are breathing fire. Below the shadow cast a prism of colors, as if a rainbow is cast upon the lower rim of the canyon wall. For all the lack of vision, for all the willingness to try, still I have been given a sign, a promise, and a knighthood.

On my feet,

In this still canyon, early spring light bathing me. “Adonai”, Thine the glory of my question, thine that is my destiny. “Adonai”, Thine the glory of my question, thine that is my destiny. In this still canyon, early spring light bathing me. – 03.28.2019 – דָּנִיֵּאל 

63 thoughts on “Arthurian (Owl Canyon)”

  5. Dear Daniel,
    Once again you touch my soul with your ability to describe your own self search in a way that I can relate too. Owl Canyon, weather metaphorically or real stands as the location where I have found myself kneeling many times. I too can appreciate the sign. Thank you. ❤
    Ruby

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  6. My brother, I awoke to read your words this morning, and spent a time in contemplation over them. I rejoice with you for the sight that you have been given, the blessing of a sign, just like our father Noah, that your answer is given. Well written my friend. Shalom, Den

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  9. Your writing once again makes me think of a poignant time in my life in which I felt as if I were Don Quixote fighting windmills without a sign that it was anything but instinct. One day I saw a rainbow on the ground. (for me on the sidewalk in downtown Chicago) Then I knew I was on the right track. You have confirmed that old story in me again this morning. Thank you my young friend.

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      • Your welcome my young friend. We all share similarities it seems when grit and hope are in play, and at those crisis points in our lives. I appreciate your thoughts and identify with many of them, that you write of on the subject. Bill

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  10. Daniel, I find this post amazing. The prayer, psalm, thoughts, that you bare publicly are always insightful and help me think about certain situations in my own life. The need for outlook and the defining of a path is what I received out of this wonderful piece of prose. ❤

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  11. In just a few wonderful words you go from the search to redemption to faith. Knighthood is for us all , although I do not mind being the lady. Your use of metaphors in telling this story was amazing. Loved it. A

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  13. Daniel, I absolutely loved this amazing piece, and thought it to be one of your best. I say that often, and mean it each time. The imagery of a night kneeling in a canyon was great, all the different symbols including the owls seem to come from so many of your other writings. Once again, one of your best. ❤ ❤ ❤

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  14. Daniel, the raising of a knight has always been a strong spiritual symbol in the western world. The components revolve so much more around the mental and spiritual forces inside than in the physical prowess. Although that too is important. You have done a great job in pointing out the vision that must be placed there in order to become a great knight. I enjoyed this piece very much. Thank you. Wang

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  21. Good write Daniel, the would be knight searching meaning in a canyon strikes great imagery. It was by sight that knighthood is granted. The follow up song is a great fit.

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  23. This is one helluva canyon you speak of. Worse, it’s a purgatory. Well, you spoke of it eloquently.
    Dusk & Resurrection are your impatience. The Hardy Boys keep you out of the canyon, and the Whitby Ladies are your lions.
    Just some thoughts! ❦

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    • Hi Resa, thank you, you got it all of course very insightful of you. D&R is my impatience, the Hardy Boys keep me out of trouble, and the Whitby’s they certainly are the lions. Your thoughts sew magic. 😉

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