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.

[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.

[kentuck14]

E,
Again, your poem is finely encased in mystery and strong emotion. The late Donald Hall wrote that a poem, in order to be a poem, must bring out feelings. You have succeeded here according to this prescription!
T

[Eilis]

Thanks, Tom. I love Donald Hall. He had so much to share in wisdom and experience.

I appreciate your thoughts on this poem. Always glad to hear from you.

[Gerald Parker]

There is an angst in this I cannot explain. I am reminded of "La Femme Adultere" by Camus. The openness to the world, the sky, the desire to be swallowed up, to be part of the scheme of things we cannot change. Powerful writing, Eilis.

[Eilis]

Thank you very much, Gerald. I do see the connection with the story. The intensity of her feeling. I suppose I relate to that in a lot of ways. I hadn't thought of that in relation to the poem, but I can see it now that you say it.

I always appreciate your reading. Thanks, again.

[Neville]

This is so good, I got lost in it without leaving the page. Not once in all my visits.. and until just now, I was careful not to leave a trace of me behind.. Please excuse the briefness of my scribble, I have just been reminded I need more drops inserting. One day soon though, I shall return and do more justice to these splendid words..

[Eilis]

I love your reaction, Neville. I kind of felt the same way when I finished writing it. I don't know where it came from, but there is was. And so I just let it be what it wanted to be.

Thank you for visiting today. I always look forward to your words...if you manage a return. If not, I think you've said something wonderful just now.

All the best.