The image displays the title "ON WINGS OF SONG" at the top in a white Art Deco typeface with thick strokes. The "O"s contain thin vertical lines, while the "W"s interlock with sharp, angular terminals. This text sits on a deep teal background with a mottled, smoky texture. Dominating the center is a surreal, oversized black face with a polished, reflective surface like obsidian. The face features semi-closed eyes with light blue irises and circular orange spots on the cheeks. Rows of black, rectangular prisms project horizontally from the temples and jawline, like piano keys. This head floats within a recessed, stepped archway formed by panels of beige and muted turquoise.
Two gigantic hands with reddish-brown skin tones emerge from the bottom corners, palms open and facing upwards. Lighting accentuates palm creases and muscular contours, while the fingertips are tipped with bright white specular highlights. The wrists disappear into dark, murky green shadows. Beneath the floating head, a miniature figure in a dark charcoal suit kneels on a flat surface. This figure, wearing dark goggles, spreads his arms wide in a theatrical pose. He is bathed in a triangular spotlight of translucent cyan that cuts through the gloom to illuminate the teal floor. Faint, intersecting beams of light traverse the background. The author's name, "Thomas M. Disch," appears at the bottom in a simple white serif font.