leonardcohenforum.com

Flying Like Icarus


I broke my stride today,

Finally lifted myself to the gathering wind,

Made true my dream to leave the ground,

Become the air I used to breathe.

Like sucking in sand,

My lungs flapped their parchment wings,

Made breath a thing of the distant past,

But having defeated that salient demon,

That earth-tugging gravity beast,

I did not notice the life pouring out.

Having lifted my wings

To the radiant wind,

I was ready to forego the little things

That kept me transfixed to a dwindling earth.

And much like that Icarus soul,

Left to burn in the blistering sun,

I soared only a moment,

Before returning to the pull and the torment

Of the gathering ground.

But for that moment—

A brief shining glimpse

At a life without strings—

I was a piece of the wind,

Moving in silence to the whim of its dance,

Forgetting to breathe in the rush

Of my burgeoning flight.

I broke my stride today

And did not notice the life pouring out.

But for that moment—

A brief shining glimpse

At a life without strings—

I was a piece of the wind,

Great stuff Sebby!
Echos of Hopkins' Windhover roll in my mind.
It also reminds me of what W.T Stace would call an "extroverted mystical experience"
I have included a link for "clarity". You may already know of the work of this man?

http://www.bodysoulandspirit.net/mystic ... tace.shtml

Regards, Matj

Thanks much, Mat. And thanks for the link...yes I know of him, but it's nice to reread...

But for that moment—

A brief shining glimpse

Reminds me of the lyrics of Camelot, one of my fave old time movies -
"For one brief, shining moment
that was known as Camelot.".

Spooky

never heard of it...but it is quite cliche-ish...the terms are well overused...I will readily admit to that. I think there's a fine balance with cliche...it's a good idea to have a bit of it in your work, just for that comfortability effect it has...that familiarity.

Hey Sebby
I think that's not quite true.
Why have cliche instead of originality?
You never heard of Camelot?
Or are you just sore at me. Please don't be, I was just trying to compare.
Come on man, where have you been?
DM

If all was original, there would be no cliche.

Now where's the comfort in that?

Anyway, if all was original, wouldn't originality itself become the cliche???

Birdonawire -
are you on holidays or have you lost your job!! We hear nothing from you for weeks (how long does the average PM sit in your postbox) then you're everywhere. Very welcome, of course. Think you're in training for the Barbican. Then what - another monastic silence?? Any chance of a drink at Christmastime? How are the bros? Apologies, Sebby, for muscling in here but this man is elusive. Will return here to comment on poem.

Sebby
You know how sometimes you write and write, but have to scrap loads of the stuff at the beginning because really you were just warming up, flexing the writing muscle, easing your way in to it? Well it feels to me as if from 'But for the moment' ...it really lifts off (really). Maybe here or hereabouts this is the place to begin the poem. Maybe, maybe not. Good stuff anyway. Thanks.

damellon wrote:Birdonawire -
are you on holidays or have you lost your job!! We hear nothing from you for weeks (how long does the average PM sit in your postbox) then you're everywhere. Very welcome, of course. Think you're in training for the Barbican. Then what - another monastic silence?? Any chance of a drink at Christmastime? How are the bros? Apologies, Sebby, for muscling in here but this man is elusive. Will return here to comment on poem.

Slightly incapacitated at the mo so not in work. Reading, reading, reading, and when not reading contemplating grand designs on home improvement (staring at the walls long enough will have even me doing that). When not reading or re-designing i'm sticking my nose in here and there on the forum. And why not sez I!?! My brothers are fine thanks for asking. I'm sure if they were here and could endure my mania long enough they would send their love to you and all.

By the way, there's always a chance of a drink at Christmas Damellon. Not only because of the possibility of meeting your good self, but I could never turn down the chance to celebrate the birth of one whom, if he were alive today, would not take part in the festivities himself!

P.S. You have just had the pleasure of my 50th post. How's that for half a landmark.

Your 50th post - honoured - you saved it for me, didn't you? Look after yourself.