She Used to Dream of Flying

It used to be she dreamed of flying.
Going high in the sky
Above the trees,
The clouds,
Until nothing could touch her
But the wind that whipped
Through her clothes and hair.

She’d stand on the edge of the bridge
That crossed the river,
Feeling the emptiness
Blow through her
And just imagine
What it would be like
To be up there,
Floating,
Untouchable.

Now?
She just prays to God
She won’t screw up
Too badly
And that maybe,
Just maybe
She’ll get her chance
To leave her mark
On this world
Before her time comes
To leave it.

Author's Note

Poetry for me is like poking at a sore tooth. You know you shouldn't do it, but feel compelled to anyway. I don't write it often but every once in a while one seizes me and won't let me go until I get it written. This is one of those. Constructive criticism is welcome here, as I know I have a lot of room for improvement in this genre. Please, be gentle.

Reviews

[Kelly Scheppers]

My goodness, this is beautiful! No need for improvement, Genevieve! ...it's perfect!

Your name is lovely!

[Ashley June Canfield]

I like this! You can defintely relate.

[Meadow Rayne]

I Really like this poem. Everyone has to give up a dream and everyone at one point has felt empty and useless. Very good write!

[Seren]

Agh, bittersweet! Love it.

Yet again, this has a kind of universal appeal; I'm sure everybody's had a dream of flying, at some point in their childhood. [I blame Disney's Alladin]. Giving up the dream of flight/or rather, putting it to one side, seems like the perfect articulation of what we give up by accepting adulthood.

It leaves you hoping that one day she'll grow wings. ^_^

[Chloe..Across the Unive..]

I just clicked the picture you used.. it works so well!
One lone bird flying high.

[Chloe..Across the Unive..]

I had to come read this when i saw the title.
This is such a relatable poem ..
Makes one wonder why she doesn't dream of flying now .. but now she prays she won't screw up and has time to leave her mark on the world .. so this explains to me why she doesn't have the flying dream now ... it is a sad poem of human emotions and you wrote it very well.

Chloe

[Stammers]

I loved it - the picture of her on the bridge, the subtle notes of what I got as suicide, but not really ready to let go completely, maybe not totally unhappy? - but the thought of escaping just a guilty indulgence from time to time, like she knows that is where she will eventually end up. Your layout works really well.

I'm probably a million miles away from what your original intention was - so sorry lol. I really liked it.