Icarus
Currents of breath, the slight curve and lift
within a single motion, once
poised then released as if to say
the wind is mine, or wait,
I am alone –
the story we most fear, not height nor gravity’s
fist, but to exist apart, shadow and
mouth, rain and smile, feather
and sun, all denials reciprocal,
each tied fast and renewed.
O at the Edges 
This is my new favorite of your poems.
Not only is it sublime — and I don’t use that word lightly — but it instantly inspired me to short story sparks.
Love your words 🙂
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I wrote this nearly two years ago – it’s gone through multiple iterations, but I think it’s done. :). And thank you for your generous words.
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Did you post a slightly different version referring to parental blame? If so, that was great, but this even more so.
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Same feather, different poem: https://robertokaji.com/2015/12/19/destined-by-gravity-to-fail-we-try/
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Ah ok- so it was what I’d rembered (parental failure), but that wasn’t a previous iteration of this poem? Just read this one again. I love it.
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Nope. If you look at the older one you’ll see how different they are. But I’m so pleased you remembered the “parental blame” idea from the first one.
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I’ve tried time and time again to use Icarus’ story as a topic, to no avail. Bravo!
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Thank you. I must confess that I didn’t know I was writing about Icarus until the poem was well underway.
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Wonderful! I love this poem! 🙂
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Thank you, Robin!
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‘reachin’ for the heavens / but ’til then / i’ll settle for the [BMW] 7…’ 🙂
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Ha!
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But to exist apart – wonderfully concise. Beautiful.
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Thanks very much. It is a state to both seek and fear.
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That’s the essence of Icarus for sure.
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A beautiful poem as always 🙂
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Thank you. I think it synchs well with your poem “A Place of Meaning.”
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That is a huge honor. Thank you so much! I hadn’t even considered it but now that you’ve mentioned it, I believe that you’re right 🙂 I hope you have a fantastic Saturday!
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Our separate impulses seemed to have crossed. Interesting how that happens. 🙂
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So beautiful and inspiring! I just finished writing my own Icarus poem, I was so inspired 🙂 thanks for posting 🙂
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I’m glad you liked it, Jessica. Thank you.
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Nicely done! An exceptional poem. =]
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You’re very kind, Patrick. Thank you.
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“The story we most fear,” indeed. Beautiful, Bob.
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No matter how much I enjoy solitude (and I crave it at times), I can’t imagine the toll a life of solitude would charge.
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Beautifully written… Please checkout my blog.
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Thanks very much. I’ll make it a point to visit. FYI, your comment was in my spam folder. I have no idea why.
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Me too. Between tell me if you like it.
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Poignant and beautiful. Your poem paints the human condition so so well… !
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Thank you, Krys.
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Lovely, and a wonderful reflection on life and fears.
And I’ve always been fascinated by this myth. 🙂
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Thank you, Merril. The myth has long fascinated me, and its meaning has shifted over the years.
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Wow! I love this. And the picture too leaves me breathless!
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Thank you. The photos are from morguefile.com.
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I love this!!!!! ❤
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Thanks, Lynda. That’s good to hear.
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