Stay put and be quiet. Don't embarrass me."
But the Heavens,
as vast as I was tiny, called to me,
"Little one of mine..."
I flew, and she said,
"You're going to fall,
hard."
Yes, one day I will fall
back into the Goddess's hand,
Wind-blown--
vast and tiny, both.
_______
For Flash 55 at Real Toads. Photograph by National Geographic, available for free download.
Oh wow! I'm in love with this one. I can almost taste the joy in flight, especially as the bird flies away from those who would keep her on the ground.
ReplyDeleteHey, I almost expected you to pick that picture too... That voice inside telling us we can fail... Like that slave whispering "memento mori"... We should always listen to it just the right way... There is a time to fall, but till then let's fly,
ReplyDeleteas i have mentioned in previous postings, i was an eagle in my previous existence therefore i soared. i guess my wings were clipped for this mundane turn.
ReplyDeletewonderful and wise words written. great sensitivity to life's flight
gracias for sharing
Ah, you chose the crows! There is such power in this picture, a sort of terrible energy, and that you have translated extremely well in your poem. The notion of being turned against by family, and seeking freedom at any cost, even alienation, is very strongly felt.
ReplyDeleteTerrible! AS in "Tyger, Tyger, burning bright ..." And love the powerful combination of poem, song and pic
ReplyDeleteWonderful sad and human and inhuman combinations here--very well done in such a short piece--vivid and spare. k.
ReplyDeleteThe two voices--or perhaps like the pic, a tumult of voices-the internalized 'worthless bound to fail' cawing, and the pure defiant one of what is an inborn and unalienable joy--very well illustrated here by the ink colors and the words, of course, themselves. I love to see you fly, dear Shay--you are so good at it.
ReplyDeleteSo glad that the kindness of the Universe countermanded the bad for us both!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Shay.
ReplyDeleteamen.
ReplyDeleteThe strongest desire is to fly on our own and with full knowledge of the fall!
ReplyDeleteDespised yet loved, non-existent but everywhere. Beautiful, amiga!
ReplyDeleteThe Black Queen- heartless - and the lovely, shining spirit of the child, who flies farther than her mother could have ever dreamed. Brilliant, my friend.
ReplyDeletenice one
ReplyDelete(http://imagtalks.blogspot.com/)
A great write .. yes one day we all may fall ... but ah at least we flew! Bastet
ReplyDelete... and the Goddess will catch you.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Shay!
Words, image, music and work together perfectly...Sometimes we have to fly no matter what mother says... Love the "feather rebellion" in this.
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful, Shay ~
ReplyDelete