Icarus from Keep Me In Your Heart

I used to have a book called Keep me in your heart by Lurlene McDaniels. All credit goes to her

I have fashioned wings of wax and feathers and

carefully formed them as things of beauty.

And utility.

Snow white.

Pale yellow.

They glow like cat's eyes.

And I have tied the wings to my thin, earthbound

arms and found a place

On a high rock from which to hurl

myself.

I'll pass just above the sea, being careful not to let

the feathers drench.

I'll pass low away from the sun and suddenly I am

flying, flying.

And I wait for night to fall so that I can fly higher.

Suddenly this place is too safe. 

And night will come too dark.

For if I only fly and do not soar, how will I know

the universe

How will I know what lies inside. Of me?

For starlight is pale and far away.

Stars prick darkness but are not warm.

And so I choose to soar. Upward into blue-lit sky

and closer to the sun until I feel the wax

dripping, melting, trickling into the sea of

glass-still water.

And yet, unafraid, I fly straight toward the sun.

Straight toward the Sun.

Will I be caught?

Or will I melt into the sea below?

Author's Note

All credit goes to Lurlene McDaniels and her book Keep Me In Your Heart. I hope this poem inspires you like it did me.

Reviews

[Jeremia]

It's horrible, just horrible. Horribly awesome that is. If something is even capable of being horribly awesome? (I just felt like making it seem like I hated it, when in reality it is quite the opposite) Nonetheless, it was gripping and grand.

[kublakhan27]

A fascinating take on the Icarus tale...not the traditional views that simply scold him for being careless...well done.

[lee von cleef]

Fly to the sun,unsatisfied I fly on,a good soul,you stretch,I hope you reach it,and still stay unsatisfied.

[An owl on the moon]

Oh, this is brilliant! Have always been intrigued by the story of Icarus... and here you enchant the shadows of the story with such a personal feel... all metaphors and magic. Love this!

[Felicity's Eve]

One word. Mesmerizing. In a good way ;)
Keep up the fantastic work

[Cerise]

woow..wondrfull..:)

[afra]

lovely write

[Andrew N. Farrens]

I like this a lot.......graphic images conjures lovely images of absolute delight....
Indeed.
Res Ipsa Loquitur