"Those were hard things for me to come by, and I offer them to you for what they may be worth." - Toby Wolff



Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Feather



I thought I could be a feather
airy like that
no weight
moved by the will of a whisper
or merely by will itself
a footless print
a ridgeless finger
and being so unidentifiable, so light
I could do no damage, no harm
but to my own plumage
an oath, a denier's creed
desirous to be so anemic

but I sank
all iron feet and fingers
and with me I took you
choking and astonished
that your feather
could ever be something you were unable to carry.
.
.
.
.

12 comments:

  1. Such lightness can sometimes be unbearable.

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  2. As I read this, I thought of one of my favorite books, "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" by Milan Kundera. Yes, it can be unbearable, this feather lightness, because to become too light is to disappear completely. I'll hold onto your feet to keep you from floating away. You write beyond beautifully, my Annie. Love you!! xo

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  3. Wonderful poem but I can't get Christmas out of my head or the line from Sleigh Ride. "Our cheeks are nice and rosy and comfy cozy are we We've snuggled close together like two birds of a feather would beeee"

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  4. Sometimes, being too light allows us to be moved and manipulated by any force, no matter how small or insignificant it is.

    I think that is why, when I face the times I'm experiencing now, that I hide myself away... make my world smaller.

    ~shoes~

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  5. and left with it, a fossilized print, perfect in form, but without the color.

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  6. it is a beautiful poem, annie. it is a hard situation to live. i think i've been here once or twice (or more).

    isn't it astonishing how we damage one another even with good intentions?

    xo
    erin

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  7. I enjoyed the words. I’ve made this attempt too, with similar results.

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  8. to be light as a feather, I wish..do you know that Jesus himself was very passionate and yes would get angry at how were, people and Bibles and what have you they don't mention that, oh no HE Is As Light As A Feather, my butt, be passionate, be Light when you sleep I love your writing, everything you say touches me deeply and that takes some major writing skills...

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  9. i love marion's comment.

    this is a beautiful poem, another of my favorites. the metaphor of another being unable to carry a feather is so clear and compelling.

    some people are not light, annie. i'm not. i don't think you are either. not to say that we can't move lightly or leave a light touch or lighten others, but bird's not a feather even though she/he has them.

    as for hurting another, what a burden, especially when it's still middle ground and decisions and needs are not clear. but you will get there, annie. and what is decided, what is held and what is (gently) put down will be best for all concerned. i think it works that way. even when it hurts.


    kj

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  10. Beautiful and slightly sad.

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  11. *deep sigh*

    utterly piercing and beautiful ... this time you have totally dissolved me ...

    i love what Lorraine says ... each of us our own axis of dark and light ... innate and often inept alchemists of nature and Source ... hence the screaming disbelief in ourselves ...

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Thank you for listening.