kept close between my ever-folded
ever-hidden
falcon wings,
and it keeps beating,
keeps keeping me here,
bless it.
Bless its tireless devotion to this life I've made
from scraps and blood, sugar and hope.
I don't think I'll see the summer again,
but I remember her as she was when I was young--
long, careless, cicada-buzzed and deep.
What have I done, with all the cloud-changed hours?
Have I loved you?
I have.
Have I told you?
Yes, constantly and every chance I got.
I want to finish this book, and then one more.
I want to enjoy a few more meals.
I want to see these mighty snows made meek and melted.
I will miss my dog, but he will rejoin me in time.
The falcon inside me is worrying the ties
that keep the lock in place.
I can feel her working, and the sky, waiting.
It will be all right.
If I am a little bit melancholy, it is because I am surprised,
astonished, really,
to feel the catch loosening
and I wonder what it will be like, when the door swings out,
and I leave this place for home.
______
It always interests me when a poet turns his/her thoughts to death - the view is so often varied, and there is a range in degrees of acceptance. Your lines are infused with a sense of calm contemplation, the things to be missed, the checklist of important things to be said to the beloved and the eager inner being who knows the time to let go is nearer. Very thought-provoking poetry for a Monday.
ReplyDeletewow. really liked this.
ReplyDeleteThis moved me, Shay. Such quiet beauty.
ReplyDeleteThis poem really speaks to me - it resonates. The calm tone, the worrying of the lock, and, especially" what have I done with all the cloud-changed hours. Contemplative, beautiful and sad.
ReplyDeleteVery understated, yet moving with great power. A very fine piece.
ReplyDeleteSteve K.
Age loosens so many things, and locks like all artifacts, have their own lifespan in the material world--though the world in this poem is far more fluid, sentient and breathing than anything merely material. It is the kind of poetry that makes you ache, that seeps into the joints and pores in a rheumatic deluge of pain, and yet also brings its own cure, in the sweet laudanum of the inevitable which can only be accepted, never turned away for long. Beautiful, spiritually alive writing, Shay.
ReplyDeleteOh, my! What a dreamy, mysterious, and exciting poem. I fear for the opening but I know I shouldn't be. Probably. :)
ReplyDeleteThe contemplative tone, the idea of not seeing "summer" again, and the coming to terms with "home" being closer...all of it, sad and yet alive with the realness of it. So moving Shay.
ReplyDeleteThis feels so honest and open and true.
ReplyDeleteThe thought of death.. a strong subject to address .. I think you take a gentle approach to it... amazingly my poem was about death too today.. maybe it's something in the air.
ReplyDeleteContemplative and poetic verse on death. There was a calm acceptance to it. Beautifully written.
ReplyDeleteSome really simple, poignant images/ideas (like the second stanza--one of my favorites in this poem).
ReplyDeletea realistic truthful look at something which most people avoid .. we don't like to think we have a shelf life... but we do...
ReplyDeleteI echo Kerry's thoughts,it is always intriguing to see how a poet handles the topic of their own demise. Here, I think you have done such beautiful work, the image and concept of the lock holding the narrator to the "world", and how in the last lines they ponder what it will be like with out it. You build to a sense of fear and awe that tugs at me. Very strong writing, Shay. Thanks for posting this.
ReplyDeleteI loved the falcon merged with the feminine and the symbolism of the lock. I've been enriched by visiting today.
ReplyDeleteIf we could all see what the end has in store for us, I'm not sure we'd be so quick to rush into those dark-robed arms. And if that ever were to happened to you, what would we do for our daily poetry fix? If you ask me, that's a lose\lose situation!
ReplyDeletewell, the first comment got gobbled. such a sense of longing ~
ReplyDeleteI can really relate to this poem. I have danced with death and do not fear it anymore.
ReplyDeleteThe blood n' sugar really captured what I deal with daily! I found your poem echo the ripples in my pond-as I try to leave my shadow-my art behind. Thank you FB
This is a compelling piece. It really begs the reader to think about their own mortality. Loved it.
ReplyDeleteI first read this days ago and I keep coming back to read it again. It's been a while since I really loved a piece of poetry but this really connected with something in me. Thank you for the beautiful song!
ReplyDelete