The wild never

The sky does not understand 

never. Its glassy blue body 

is an illusion hanging over everything. 

I can not shake it. And. 

Why would I want to. Except 

for the way it never, it never

disappears. Sometimes I fool myself. 

I believed the trees 

would not turn this autumn. That 

the weather had stolen the alteration 

and left instead just 

the crisp brown of dying. But here 

they are now, an apothecary 

of crimson hearts and stars 

dangling over every landmark 

my eyes can touch. I had almost 

managed to forget the way it felt 

to be plunged through by wildness. 

But here I am again: a forest

sized ache, waiting to be 

swallowed by that wild/     never-sky

Reviews

[Fabian G. Franklin]

This was very different from most things I read about nature; even different from a personal perspective of a self-proclaimed transcendentalist. I enjoyed the different view. I was reminded of a song (I always am) by country singer Leeann Womack titled, "I Hope You Dance" and a line contained in it where she says, "I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean". I think that natural wonder and awe is a good thing to maintain as well. I enjoyed the read.

[Eilis]

Thank you for the kind words, Fabian. I’m glad you enjoyed the poem.

[redd Brick Keshner]

The sky is, and in its firmament all we happen and exist or not, but it is. It would seem the higher up and further away we go in it the wilder it gets. But with the changing of seasonal colours, I surmise it will in its season change again.l Perhaps we could cycle back after each flight and managed the forest sized ache. Thanks for sharing.

[Eilis]

Hi, Frederick. Thank you for the interesting comment. I feel you’ve built on the originating feeling of the poem.

[redd Brick Keshner]

I believe so too. The poem just brought me a far off! Set a platform from which to launch into thought and wonder. Hope that didn't bother.

[Eilis]

No, I liked your comment. I think it’s great when we can inspire one another. Sorry it took me so long to respond to your comment. I’ve been away a couple of days.

[redd Brick Keshner]

Thanks, Ellis. I know how that goes. There isn't enough time in the world for everything that has to be done.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I love this delivery...poems with the words hanging out on the end of lines...perfect for the odd cadence of the read and the stress of inflection.
"a forest sized ache"
I am reminded of Horst Jankowski's instrumental, "A walk in the black forest"

I feel so at home in the wild forest of autumn color....for me it breathes, as does this poem.
j.

[Eilis]

Hi, Jacob. It’s lovely to hear from you. Your comments are always so encouraging to me. Sorry I have been a poor reader and participant here. I look forward to reading your poetry again soon.

[Lisasview]

Well, okay..okay.. a poem to ponder and the very first one I have read of yours..
Also, interesting line usage and nearly no punctuation...
Enjoyed the read nonetheless less,
Lisa, now in Spain

[Eilis]

Hi, Lisa. Thank you for your comment. Nice to meet you.

[JE Falcon]

As confusing as this poem could have left me, --- it did not. I especially loved the flow. Thanks for a great read and words well chosen.

[Eilis]

Thanks very much, JE. For reading and for your kind words.

[barleygirl]

Your poem feels like an allegory about love. The sky (love) is like this . . . & if we try to believe it's something else, or trying to believe we don't believe, the sky (love) will still sneak up on us & convince us to be swallowed up again. I love the way you use the word "never" . . . very thought-provoking! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Eilis]

Love is a subject I find perpetually bewildering, Margie. I suppose that could explain the sideways nature of this poem. I do like to take a word and see how it can be stretched now and then which was kind of where this started out. Never being my chosen word.

Thanks for sharing your insights and for your appreciation of the poem. Always enjoy reading your ideas.

[Chris Shaw]

Our moods can mirror our environment. It doesn't work that way in reverse. Your lines make me feel small and out of control. We have no say in whether the sky is blue or whether an oak tree will shed it's leaves in autumn. What will be will be and we have to learn to adjust and live with it. Sadly that can be more difficult for some. I hate the winter and want to hibernate. I should have been born in warmer climes. It can be easy to be swallowed by nature. I look at the wild fires in Australia, the severe flooding in other parts of the world. Yes that wild is destructive, but nature is fickle and at times calm will return. We know it won't last. Sometimes I am not sure where you travel to in your lines Eilis. These lines made me feel vulnerable to the seasons and weather patterns. Hoping you are in good spirits Eilis. All good wishes.

Chris

[Eilis]

Thank you, Chris. I’m doing ok. Staying busy and it’s unseasonably warm, so sometimes that helps ward off the doldrums.

I appreciate you tackling this poem when it feels unusual to you. So far it seems it feels that way pretty universally. I love nature and find so much to wonder at and admire. It has many faces and I feel that manifest in me sometimes. This one is a little wonky for me too, but all you say seems perfectly in tune with the feel of it.

Thanks for visiting. I do appreciate your insightful comments.

[gram linski]

that wild/ never sky fills a hole sized forest, I sense a wild feral thing wandering round your poetry, Eilis, that has me beguiled and afraid , and enjoyed

[Eilis]

This is an alter-ego poem, I think. Definitely invisible hand. Definitely the feral thing too.
read moreThis is an alter-ego poem, I think. Definitely invisible hand. Definitely the feral thing too.

I like the word beguiled, don’t hear that one much. Thanks again, Gram. I do like the weird/wildness of this one. Not sure I could do it again though.

[Einstein Noodle]

the never sky .... such an interesting concept ... and so far it certainly has never never disappeared ;) there are realizations and profound experiences to be had by taking even just a few minutes to be still in the forests ... on the ridge, in the holler ... i love this line especially:
"to be plunged through by wildness" ... life pulses in, around and through everything says i! a wildness we must long for ... our own "dealings" seem instantly to bring separation ..for some so much and for so long the memory of it is lost ... love also you positive closing ... so aware ... i'm all wrapped up in "The Wild Never" ... happy i did not miss it.
E.

[Eilis]

Hi, E. Thank you for such a lovely comment. I thought this one might be too weird for anyone to like, so I'm glad to see all of the positive feedback on it.

I love what you say here and what you see. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thought.

[Einstein Noodle]

a lot of very fine poets and poetesses are .....weird :)))))))))))))))))))

[Eilis]

‘Tis true, haha. I suppose I’m in good company

[CD Campbell]

The mention of the stars makes me think of the sweetgum trees that you had mentioned in an earlier poem. Lost part of my two front teeth in a sweetgum tree ball war. Long story.

This poem with its ever present sky and the inevitable turnings of nature makes me believe in second chances and resurrections. Your feelings that all had been lost due to the drought had been a short lived one. The rains always come. The may not come when we want them too, but they do. That sense of wilding came flooding back and it is a beautiful scene full of hope and exhalation.

I think this is a wonderful poem. It felt great to read. Things aren't always so dark.

[Eilis]

Thank you, CD. Sorry it took me so long to get here. I appreciate this comment very much. The depth and insights.

Sweet gum trees are something symbolic for me. A part of my adulthood that seems to always crop back up. Maybe I’m trying to figure out the significance, I’m not sure. Seems like everywhere I’ve gone as an adult, there’s been one close by the house I was living in. There’s one about ten feet away from my current home. It’s got to be a thirty year old tree at least and I can’t figure out who thought it was a good idea to let it grow there to begin with.

Anyway. Your first paragraph intrigues me. I am a fan of those kinds of stories.

Thanks for taking the time to read and share your ideas. I hope you have a good week there.