I am so grateful I popped over to One Stop Poetry this morning. The interview there of James Rainsford, who is also the photographer who took the poetry prompt/challenge - was inspirational. Take a moment to visit there ~ I have linked to the interview/photo challenge page below.
Photo by James Rainsford ~ Prompt lives at One Stop Poetry. (Join the writing Challenge ~ it will stir you creatively.)
Waiting to Fly
Wings poised
Light hasn't lifted me
from this perch
Learned man
Why do you have
a scar on your brow?
Light hasn't been
able to pull me up
yet and...
I listen and think
Maybe I am not meant
to lift ~ yet
Learned man
Do you tire of standing
still, all the time -
Maybe the light means
for me to pause
Stay here, quiet ~
Sir, what has that scar
taught you that you
may teach me?
Maybe the light's whisper invites me
To tuck my wings under
my belly
To listen some more
Learned man, help me
come to know
I wonder ~
Why do you have
a scar on your brow?
Learned man
Do you tire of standing
still, all the time -
Forever paused,
forever seeing sameness
forever frozen
forever voice
less or wait I hear
when I am still
When I relax and stop
making my own noise
~~~~~ a-ha....
= = = =
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ha. how much more we would learn by stopping making our own noise and doing just a bit of listening...a delightful read...
Posted by: brian | March 20, 2011 at 10:49 AM
Very creative how you address the "learned man" and (i think) the scars of history. The repetition is very effective and I really like how the lines "forever voice
less or wait I hear
when I am still"
—nice flow and creation of various interpretations through formatting. Great challenge response.
Posted by: dustus | March 20, 2011 at 10:49 AM
Love the way you've used my photo to personify the seagull. Making it the inquisitor of the silent stone statue which is its temporary perch. The antithesis of its freedom to fly and soar above the earth . An intelligent and impressive poem. Thank you for sharing, James.
Posted by: James Rainsford | March 20, 2011 at 12:20 PM
A beautiful, sensitive poem! Like a child questioning a seer!
Posted by: Gemma @ Greyscale | March 21, 2011 at 12:31 AM