I Flew

for Charles

I Flew

Of course, I tried to fly, believing it was only a matter
of being high enough for a strong wind.
I ran across the tin roof of the neighbor's barn to leap
into open air, not suspending for even a moment,
just a solid drop, like a rock, but landing
like a soft sack on the dry earth.
The earth rose around me in a whoosh and whew
of powder brown, as I sat on the ground, holding
my loose arm and looking up, somewhat resentful,
as a buzzard circled in easy nonchalance.
I tried again at the waterfall, not by choice,
but by the slick mischief of a slimy rock,
that threw me with force, out over the falls,
and I remember mumbling a Sunday school prayer,
as I clawed my way back up to the sweetness of air.
Think you can stop now, my brother asked,
but I didn't say anything, except to myself.
My brother had this wonderful heart, and he said, Someday
I will be a magician, and I will make you disappear into thin air.
I said, Can you make me hover there? Can you make me wings?
I was pretty sure he could do almost anything.
A few years later he developed this terrible fever, and after that,
his heart was fickle and failed a few times.
My mama said his heart would never beat like mine.
Just before he died, my brother did this magical trick,
and it worked perfectly, the disappearing quarter feat,
he called it, and I said, What about me? Can you make me
disappear?
He said, maybe I could, but I don't really want to anymore,
and he hugged me and said, Maybe you could try,
to just fly in your mind, for a little while.
And it worked, it worked perfectly! Especially the day,
they buried my brother, and I was desperate,
to keep the dirt from holding him
into that cold grave.
I took his hand straight into my mind, and we flew as high
as all the birds of Heaven, and I said,
from here you can catch a cloud! And he waved his hand
in the beauty of the sun, and I shouted, When you get
your wings, look for me some!
Back at the graveyard, no one ever knew,
but I remember it perfectly, and I flew,
I flew.

Reviews

[Alicante lullaby]

you flew...i'm speechless...i saw you soaring above clouds..beautiful.phibby.simply beautiful.

[Bette]

oh my, this gave me chills, that is not where i thought this was going.beautiful heart tugging write. well done.

[W.k.kortas]

"Daily I search the realms of Hades
For the soul of the hawk,
That I may offer him the friendship
Of one whom life wounded and caged."

--Edgar Lee Masters

[maryjaneuy]

You're a great writer. :)
This work is just... BRILLIANT. nice read. keep it up. :)

[cest la vie]

Yes you did dear Phibby.. you flew..

simply a most touching piece of writing I am finding few words to capture my feelings... all I can come up with, is Love..
this is Love...

[Holly-Marie]

This is one of the few poems that have actually moved me to tears. Beautiful but heart wrenching. The last three lines bought the perfect ending to your piece. I loved it.

[Emily B]

oh, Phibby! How many times have I walked out gazing at the hills and wanted to just fly straight to them . . . like the hawk. I want to soar, to have wings, your words touch me deeply.

[Bud]

This is so touching... leaving me a bit without words. Brings back many of my own memories, as well. The only thing I can think to say is, how are we to know if we never try? Magnificent piece of Outstanding poetry. You always instill a piece of your heart in each poem. Making the reader feel it is a one on one conversation, and one that the reader can really relate to.

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

OMG that is so touching... flying is something that doesn't have to be literal.... when you have an open mind and giving heart you are already flying... I am moved by this piece.

[deeps]

This is so wonderful, I could feel this. Almost have a tear here.
This is amazing. Enjoyable read.