Time to fly free? Growing up, graduating and reflecting on new life adventures

Unsteady wings (2021)

This is a revised edition of my poem. You can find my first edition (2013) here

——

Our time is passed and travel on must we

Amidst the laughter and the radiant tear;

Unsteady wings unfurl for flying free.

—

Great times together, growing memory,

The joys and delights of each hatchling year;

Our time is passed and travel on must we.

—

Little ugly ducklings, rise swans to be,

Stand elegant and tall; relinquish fear,

Unsteady wings unfurl for flying free.

—

Trials, hopes, dreams - growing triumphantly,

As louder comes the symphony we hear:

Our time is passed and travel on must we.

—

Those faces made the places what they be;

Their faith, 'Best wishes for ascension, dear.'

Unsteady wings unfurl for flying free.

—

These remembrances captivatingly

Not in life, but ever in our hearts appear

Our time is passed and travel on must we;

Unsteady wings unfurl for flying free.

——

The story behind it

I first wrote this as I was graduating high school (2013), reflecting on the changes and personal development over the years that my graduating class had experienced. I've revised it this year (2021), reflecting on other changes and developments, because life never stands still and each time you crash land, you have to learn again to unfurl your wings and fly free.

This poem was also a challenge for myself: I wanted to write in a particularly complex poem structure: villanelle. One of the most famous poems written in this form is Dylan Thomas’ ‘Do not go gentle into that goodnight’.

Were you happy to graduate, or more nostalgic at the changing season in life? Let me know @lilijanewriter

You can connect with me in the Vocal Creators Cooperative Facebook group — we're a community eager to help each other's stories or poetry improve through constructive feedback 😊

——

If you like this poem, please show some love and give it a ❤️ or maybe even a tip! You can also check out some of my other writing & poetry here!