Where
does it come from,
that feeling:
standing on the edge
of a tall building
holding the railing
looking down
what is it inside us
that wants to jump?
From the center of the chest,
this impulse,
to jump,
then
fall
off the edge of the known
like a cliff diver
through clouds – air – water
It frightens us
this feeling
making us step back
but what if we stay
at the edge,
and feel
the uncoiling,
letting go
falling
through a sky of knives
Falling through time and
plans and promises
and life.
Letting go,
falling from blue into grey
And what if we don’t fall?
What if we fly?
This was written in response to a promp by Karin at the Imaginary Garden with Real Toads. The Pollock image is from Tess at Magpie Tales writing group.
Indeed! The fools leap. What if we fly?
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We won’t know unless we try.
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Ha. This is such an interesting perspective, Mary. First I love the Pollock– he is so wonderful and suits this poem so well–secondly, the poem itself loops about like the Pollock– so ibteresting to think of knives In the air rather than the hard ground– the fact is that we often are as fearful of flying as falling– so hard to let go of the known– even if we dont like it! Anyway, cool poem– thank you so much for participating. Stay well! K.
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Thank you very much Karin. It was a great prompt. I really went all over with it before finally doing this. Very thought provoking.
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This was my favorite so far Mary, nice use of enjambment! I love the end.
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Thanks Bekkie!
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Loved the poem Mary…having jumped foro a perfectly good plane I have contemplated that leap…I can’t fly though, just fall with style!
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Oh Chris…I am still standing with a death-grip on that railing. You’re either brave or mad…but I’m mad, so you must be brave. And thanks, I’m glad you liked the piece.
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Those days too I have seen; that sky of knives…
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Hello B. Thanks for reading.
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Angels, fairies, and hopefully me! How I would love to fly like a bird.
Rosey Pinkerton’s blog
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Me too Rosey, once I get over my initial fear. Thanks.
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There is that fear of an urge we believe we cannot control… I think it applies to more falls than this one… falling in love for instance (which is really first like flying).. It’s not the falling that scare me, it’s the landing.
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Hahaha – yes, that landing. You’re absolutely right.
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And what if we don’t fall?
What if we fly?
In a given situation, there are alternatives. One is not crippled by inadequacies of one!self. Improvise and one can be safe!
Hank
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Hi-ya Hank. Thanks!
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Perfect progression here, taking us through several stages of thought, finally into the heart of the matter–your free-verse form echoes so well the way the poem weaves its message. Good to see you writing, Mary–and I love this new blog–much more readable for my old eyes!
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Thank you Joy, it’s a good feeling to write again (good and maddening, lol) I’m glad this is easier to read, I also like the way it’s easier to keep track of comments on wp. Though the style elements are limited in the free version.
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I love this, Mary. I’m enchanted by the way in which your poem offers so many choices: from complete chaos and madness, to hope and wings. ♥
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Thank you Magaly!!
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Great ending!
I love this:
“but what if we stay
at the edge,
and feel
the uncoiling”
And this:
“through a sky of knives
into the soup of morning”
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Thank you.
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letting go
falling
through a sky of knives
These are powerful lines within the poem as a whole and perfectly convey your theme.
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Thanks very much Kerry.
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love this !
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Thank you Sandra!
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Oh yes! What if we flew!
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🙂 Yes!
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I definitely get the sense I was on the edge ready to fall through your stanza method and use of enjambment, wicked nice and cool. :D.
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Thanks Noirfifre
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Nicely done. “sky full of knives” and “what if we fly?”, dark and lovely. Beautiful work.
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Thank you Elena.
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Yes, you have described it perfectly, in this perfectly executed poem.
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Thank you so much Rosemary.
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I believe I can fly…
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Absolutely flying would be the answer here!
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Thanks for your comment, Karen.
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Really liked this part below and the last two lines. What if we could fly?
the uncoiling,
letting go
falling
through a sky of knives
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