Watch Me Fly Away
My adoration was expansive,
smiling for attention; a gauntlet thrown.
I saw you that time when I was a balloon
trapped by the solid ceiling, holding my flight in check.
Finally, I deflated.
***
Here you are again, not even present,
but your voice is clear - "You are not to be valued.”
I remain an unworthy victim of your selfish love,
gifted and re-gifted until the thoughts became ingrained.
***
Today, I’m sad – I can feel your flinty stare glaring from my eyes,
trying to spark fires from cold ash.
Maybe I’m grieving for a life that never was real.
***
But the Phoenix will fly,
healing the world with its tears.
***
I’ve preened my feathers.
***
About the Creator
KJ Aartila
A writer of words in northern WI with a small family and a large menagerie.
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Violence Begets
"Any last words, cowboy?" "None you'd understand, sodbuster." "Funny. That's Marshall Sodbuster to you. But I meant some last nugget that would help us in the adjudication of the myriad offenses counted against you and your gang. I wasn't asking for penitence."
By Adam Diehl7 days ago in Fiction
Comments (8)
Remember the phoenix gets reborn from its ashes. Always. Never fear, those preened feathers are just waiting for rebirth.
Lovely verse and poignant thanks for sharing.
Gorgeous imagery here KJ! Brilliantly done!
Lovely! We only ever accrue it to give it away. The sun burns without knowledge of itself, whereas those that drink its light believe themselves their own animators. Irony abounds!
The phoenix would definitely fly! Sending you lots of love and hugs! ❤️
Beautiful, from captured/deflating balloon to preening/healing phoenix. I'm hearing shades of Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats" in this (though it sounds more like dismissal & neglect than cheating, but still....).
Magnificently written!!! Love it!!! Sending positive vibes & virtual hugs!!!💕❤️❤️
Heartfelt and powerful. Hope you are okay!