I Have Waited As a Bird

My sky yields heroes of long ago, felt as strange sensations

They take control of all I have ever known to be

With eyes that watch what comes this way 

From those faces my sun cannot see

Memories of them lie anchored above a line of tangled trees 

With branches full of doves of hope that softly sing

Lingering declarations into the light of dawn

In their perfect campaign, voices ring

I have waited as a bird in a cage who dreams to freely fly

Here sleeping while the world moves me to wake

By dipping a pen into the ink of my veins

Creating outlines for me to take

My restless heart beats swift, echoes sweetly into my sky

Into the breezes that yield my heroes of long ago

To come take control of all I know to be

Help me to discover what is so

I have been here as a shadow poured into a secret cage

Calling on fate and chance to come and rescue me

My heroes of long ago never held the key

I could fly if the sky I would just see

Author's Note

Holding ourselves back with invisible barriers............

*Artist - Xie Yu Chu - http://www.jiyougallery.com/Summer-Rose-p14519.html

Reviews

[Karina Longo]

It's interesting, even though you've set this as 'poetry', and of course, it has a beautiful poetic flow and imagery, I could personally classify this piece as lyricwriting as well - it's like a mix of the both. The last stanza would make a wonderful chorus. :) This is an inspiring writing, so serene.

[Verslayer]

This is the first time I'm reading your work and I have to say how impressed I am by it. There is a lilt to this...a subtle effect that only becomes apparent after the second read...I've read it three times already. Your first line of the last stanza is breathtaking.

[Muse]

The title is both perfect and creative for another brilliant write Neva, I had to add this to my favorites!

[Art Sun]

nice work Neva...there is always something deep within your work...and if we look deep enough we can find the wisdom behind it...yes we are all at times held back or hold ourselves back from seeing the blue within the sky...

[FamaSemperVivat]

Beautiful story, so very true how often we can end up locking ourselves off from our dreams because of unforeseen circumstances, and giving up on those dreams in order to just survive. Finding ourselves lost and tied down to a life we didn't dream of. It takes courage to continue to strive for our dreams and never give up and free ourselves of these invisible bonds.

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

Only we hold ourselves down when it comes to soaring to our dreams... quite an inspirational piece.

[Maya Storm]

This puts me in mind of a book written by Maya Angelou 'I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings'.

I know those invisible barriers, and they are set by ourselves...

This part of the poem gripped a hold of me "...Calling on fate and chance to come and rescue me" I have wanted to say this to a person but the words were not mine to say, I just could not find them in my head.

Neva you have a gift... I really liked this one, I'm inspired to do more and push myself. Thank you once again.

[☯]

The wisdom and thoughts in this poem speak thoroughly, and vivid. The images you created in my mind are beautiful, and I don't know how you do it, but whenever I read your poems, I feel magical, but also living in reality. A nicely composed and beautifully written piece. Invisible barriers are the hardest to overcome.

[Liza]

inspiring piece of what we hold onto as justified reasons to not pursue and soar

[Clay Feet]

Doves of hope...nightbirds sing
Linger into sunrise
Look above the treeline
Sense heroic faces that move the soul

Why wait with racing heart trapped
Sweet morning songbird
Forsake heroes past
Unlock cage use inner key...fly free...sing!

Your lilting song rings round souls, Neva. Beautiful.

[Poetic Beauty]

This is very detailed and the imagery it produces is great. memories can give us strength or it they can weaken us if we let them. Writing about memories is a great way to get out those emotions.