If only I had feathered wings

     A girl sits on the moon, looking down on the world below.  Figures move about like clockwork statues beneath her, shifting and scuffling as she goes unnoticed above them, watching their hollow eyes shedding hollow tears.

     Outside her, all is deep red; a scorched and smoky red.

     Awakened from a solemn slumber, the girl walks again along the barren sand.  Dark shadows grope and slide around her, as the black waves beat time in the distance. A voice speaks.

      

“If only I had feathered wings,

that could bend and curve and reach,

beyond imagined dreams,

unhindered by the weight of earth.”

 

     The whisper comes from the shadow.  A tiny ball of crystal slides down the girl’s cheek.

     Laced gray blankets fragment in the air, revealing small candles in the sky.

     The girl begins to choke and cough on her tears.  A wooden hand covers her pale face and she ceases to struggle.

     Her body falls slowly back against the spindly, torn fragment of driftwood.  A twisted smile lifts her porcelain cheeks though it can’t be seen.

 

Author's Note

From chapter four of "An owl on the moon”…

Reviews

[Dr. YumnaKay]

Your title and piece are what I feel deeply synced to.. 'if only I had feathered wings' *sigh.
The details and imagery here leave me awestruck and in admiration of your pen (and mind). Such a lovely, wistful write. ..

[An owl on the moon]

Thank you so much, dear friend. The longing of this poem comes from the deepest place in me. May you find those wings waiting for you... lifting you... always.

[Neville]

I can almost smell and taste the tallow of those candles burning in the sky..
for the moment tho, elsewhere in my minds eye, everything else is scorched and smoky red..

What a wonderful gift it is you bestow upon all of us who either stumble upon or purposefully seek out your pages.... Neville

[Giulia King]

I love this poem. Absolutely love it. Your words are so magical and they helped brighten my gloomy day. Thank you for sharing :)

[An owl on the moon]

Dear Giullia, how your words came to brighten my long gloomy week. Thank you, dear poet!

[Just Kim]

Only if I had wings, I would lean toward the sky and cast away my worries of this world.
This is so very good. You are very talented.

[Ardra]

Ah .. :) if only my tattoo had power to fly I imagine all the time... beautiful as always....

[An owl on the moon]

Thank you so much, Ardra. And as for flying, do remember that the singing bird on the branch flies so much higher than the silent soaring bird ever could. Keep your song... and keep flying. :)

[barleygirl]

After I read thru your interesting & compelling descriptions, full of unexpected details & dynamic sensations, I felt myself unwilling to let this lady go at the end. I found myself searching for a different meaning . . . a way to interpret this final act in some way that could allow the earlier loftiness to continue on & not be squelched by the mysterious hand that appears (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[An owl on the moon]

I am so thankful the words could pull you into this world, dear Margie. There are many stories that must awaken as they were meant. Wishing you such a week of inspiring wonders now. :)

[Mrudula Rani]

To have wings and to soar above, is the eternal dream of soul, but that is unattainable.
Sua palavras são tão lindas e profundas. Eu tenho certeza que eu entendo pouquíssimo, também não tá fazendo justiça em review! Uma grande abraço.

[An owl on the moon]

Muito obrigado, querido poeta! Suas palavras são sempre encorajadoras e sua presença aqui é sempre uma alegria. Um grande abraço. :)

[Mrudula Rani]

Prazer é meu. Obrigada para abraço e outro

[‘Thoughts In Time..]

In a place and time of her own giving in to that which is and must be- struggles ceasing in the tenderness of being there now- wonderful words🌹

[An owl on the moon]

So appreciate of your kindness, dear poet. :)

[‘Thoughts In Time’🌹]

My pleasure 🌹

[emmajoy]

' A wooden hand covers her pale face and she ceases .. .. '

A beautiful sadness here, Owl. You remind me of a monk sat with only candle for light.. his mind dwelling on histories long past. Forgive the waxing lyrical - don't do it well but - that IS how i interpret your style.

Your words touch on the mystic.. i find that strangely comforting.. .

[An owl on the moon]

So thankful your feet would walk this mystic beach and speak such kindness over me. Always appreciated. Always. And there are times perhaps I am more at home in visions and dreams than this trembling world. Peace lives there.

[emmajoy]

And that Peace is sadly lacking these days, don't you think? . Wise men suggest we be thankful for small mercies but seems - like the size of Penguin biscuits, like them there mercies - are becoming smaller and smaller. all the time. Tis always a pleasure to read your prose..it has heart.. and that matters. :)

[An owl on the moon]

Yes.. the world's peace seems to grow smaller... so it is hard to find peace within with so much aching... Perhaps poets can unite as the world needs... in collaborations and more... Yes? :)

[emmajoy]

Togetherness so often creates something beautiful.. better than out and out war, that's foe sure,. Owl.

[Coyote Poetry]

A wonderful story shared in the words. I liked the artwork also. You create visions and heavy thoughts in the poem my friend. Always a pleasure to read your amazing work.
Coyote

[An owl on the moon]

So appreciated, dear poet. This is a glimpse of the creative writing paper that transformed into a book. Very grateful you were by to read it.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are doing well. The story is interesting and worthwhile and I enjoyed the read.