ICARUS

"The greatest thing about you should always be your kids."

Nothing is as it seems

tap dancing elegantly in between nightmares and dreams

look into the reflection of their eyes and see yourself

for what you truly are.

All you can be for them is better.

Better then you ever have been before.

For the price is only everything in the world.

Nor heaven, nor hell, not perfect but, willingly scarred in love.

For in these moments even the most fearless know fear.

Hoping that you have taught them enough to survive, love, and to dare to dream.

Hoping they're not moving towards a nightmare to be.

Either by flying too high into a burning sun or crashing into the dark ice cold unforgiving sea.

The world can be heartless unless you fill it with love.

It's time.

Twilight now dear child has begun.

Time never stops, nor starts, nor can it be undone.

Bear witness to the last setting of the suns.

Oh dry thy eyes in this long kiss goodbye

as the parent tosses the child up towards the sky for for one last time.

Fearing and praying that they will somehow survive and learn to fly.

Dear child,

Let this love be your guide.

by the unknown sith

Reviews

[barleygirl]

This is one of the best poems I've read so far in 2021. I love the symbol Icarus from Greek mythology. Lots of poets summon this symbol, but few have used it in a way that's really impactful, as in your poem. I never had kids for many reasons, of course, but one big reason is that I was too chicken to let go, knowing a child of mine might crash & burn, yet also knowing he/she needs to be free to live as life calls to him/her. To me, you pinpoint the most powerful crux of what's hardest about parenting, so well expressed in its entirety (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Vectra Mendonie]

I really liked this. The way the words flowed (the rhythm?) was really pretty. I don't have any kids, so I'm not a qualified opinion, but I think this poem really captures how Daedalus felt about his son. Good job!