before

I find I am taller since

I learned to express myself.

You doubt me?

I could not reach the sky, before

I could find no light

when my growth

was stunted by fear.

From this height,

I can touch stars and clouds.

I hear new notes

in melodies and giggles.

A creator divine, I build castles in air--

word by word.

And I can fly. . .

(you doubt again)

when the birds aren't watching.

They might laugh, you know.

And I am vast--

I can reach round the earth

to care, to soothe, to touch

an aching heart.

Standing tall, I know no stranger

only travelers

walking, working, living,

learning like me.

I might have been the vaguest,

the slightest person in the room--

but that was before

I found my words.

Author's Note

I'm not really here to share my poetry, you know. It's all about giving that one word where it's needed. Maybe it's my purpose in life.

Reviews

[Kara Emily Krantz]

jeeeeeeeeezzzzzzeeeeeeeeeeee. i love this!! i was really suprised. this poem is really unassuming, and present like it will be just like a lot of other poems, but you wrap it up nicer, with more inspiring words and images, and it just works wonderfully!

"And I can fly. . .

(you doubt again)

when the birds aren't watching.

They might laugh, you know. "

love that. love the humor, love the fact that you're aware others doubt us, as artists.

and the last line? lakjd;faklsjdkfl;aklfja

loveyou :)

[Leslie Philibert]

After I do my review requests I enjoy looking at Emily`s writing, in the knowledge I will find great writing. What i really like here is the ( seemingly) child-like emotion that evokes very adult, subtle feelings. And the doubts ( you doubt again) give the poem a kind of dialectical feeling. A really good poem.

[Emily B]

here i was just beginning to find i had a voice . . . i had just started to grow my wings

[SHEEMA HUQ]

what a fine poem, fragile yet meaningful

[Pete Langley]

You are a true altruist, Emily. Your poem can only be a filip for self-doubters, as so many of us are. You sing the joy of life, the realisation that with words, anyone can fly. Beautiful. P.

[Emily B]

I imagine this was in that handful of first poems . . . I didn't find my voice until I was already in my thirties :)

[Touché Armada]

You are vast and vague and wonderful and as deep as the sky, indeed.

Nice to read that again.

[Lacy Dawn]

I really enjoyed your poem.
Your a great writer. :)

[Emily B]

thank you

[...]

. oh, it is ... with that one word -- wonder -- you gave me so much life recently ... and you know how that has traveled to others ... your poetry is that word and more ... it's a beautiful weave made of all the right words ... this one, in particular, is an outstanding weave ... it's inspiring ... it's honest ... and it's empowering ... one's voice is so important ...

[Wondering Mind]

I have no doubt, my friend, but I can only imagine, for I read, and I am there.

[holly]

By sharing your poetry you ARE giving that one word. It is the fearlessness you describe in this poem that helps us (or at least me) to keep trying to write honestly. Words are the all-conquering soldiers. We only know of Alexander, Genghis Khan, Moses and all the other so-called conquerors through words.
Succinctly written.

[Alicante lullaby]

Your words make you up,Emily.Something that we all know.But this here is touching.I mean you are so passionately in love with them...
and yes, a divine creator..one cannot create when not in love...you are a true artist.

[Gandré]

I liked this because it makes me see the details in daily life. Then my awareness is pulled up and our across the sky, reaching for horizons and if flows like metaphorical river from eternity to eternity. I loved how you ended this poem, very nice way to say, I am sure you first dreamt your words, and I am so glad that you share them with us, even you say, you are not here to share here your poetry... so isn't everything about insight? sadly, some of us never will see those realms, for they can't be found in the world of matter.
And I can fly. . .

(you doubt again)

when the birds aren't watching. ------this I understand that you subconsciously understand that you can't interfere with the birds when you want to use their flying for yourself, this is utterly Buddhistic approach.. what I like very much.