Setting Fire to the Origami Crane (the one floating on Muscongus Bay) at Sunset
Who is to say which comes first, the flaming crane
or the sunset’s burst just over the horizon
and under the clouds? There are causes and causations,
an illness named bad air and another attributed to wolf
bites, neither accurate. There is the paraffin to melt,
and the folded paper resting comfortably nearby, with
a small, unopened tin of shoe polish and the sound of
tears striking newsprint. You know the myth of the
Viking burial — the burning ship laden with treasure
and the deceased clothed in all his finery. But pyres
are lighted to make ash of bodies, to ease the soul’s
transition to the heavens. Think of how disturbing
it would be to come upon the charred lumps of your
loved one washed ashore. And other myths — various
versions of the afterlife created to bend wills and
foster hope where little exists — to which have you
departed? There are no returns in your future, no more
givings, and your ashes have dispersed among the clouds
and in the water. They’ve been consumed by earth and
sky, inhaled and swallowed, digested, coughed out but
never considered for what they were. So I’ve printed
your name a thousand times on this sheet, and will
fold and launch it, aflame, watching the letters that
comprise you, once again, rise and float, mingle
and interact, forming acquaintances, new words,
other names, partnerships, loves, ascending to the end.
This was written for the August 2015 Tupelo Press 30/30 Challenge. To read the story behind the poem’s title (which I was unaware of), you might visit Jilanne Hoffman’s blog.
O at the Edges 
You just blew me away with this. Insanely good poetry, man.
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Thank you, Taylor.
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This captures a lot of the emotions I felt when my sister died three years ago, the fragile sense of hope that some part of her has gone on to another life, the confrontation with the uncompromising reality that all that’s left here is a body, and the wish to find some means of commemorating the gift to us that her life had been.
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I believe those feelings are common to most of us.
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Beautiful, Bob! And the story behind it – fills me with such tenderness for the world and all in it. You have a gift for tuning in, pulling essentials from thin air – I always see more and see differently through your words. Thanks!
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I’m not certaiin that I could have written any closer to Jilanne’s story if she’d told me about it. We were definitely in tune.
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Beautiful! Thank you for this!
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So pleased you like it. Thank you.
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Reblogged this on The Bard.
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Thanks for sharing this!
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Beautiful poem, Bob! I love it!
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Thank you, Robin.
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I love this poem dearly. You are a magician. Thank you for linking to my blog! I’ve been absent there, trying to get the book publishing side of my life in order, if such a thing is possible. But I do intend to get back to the blog soon and back to my regular blog reading. Your work inspires me so much! Thank you!
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The poem would never have been written without your title, Jilanne. And good luck with the book publishing side of your life! I know how daunting (and exhausting) that can be.
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This is a wonderful poem. I wrote about origami boats following the death of my son. Great stuff😍
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Thank you, Nancilynn.
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Sound of tears striking newsprint~
I say, it bring me on tears..
What if, we reach the time we are going to leave this world and our family will huddled at one place…
Remembering you, and how you shared your life with them and your unconditional love and they had to accept it…
Even it was too painful.
And they hug to each other, sharing wine and setting up camp fires under the dark lovely moonless night and then they cry and laugh and holding each other arm with love that they had to repay what makes you special and had to dealt your final exit.
That they placed a special portion on their hearts…and shared your legacy to the next generation.
Another great piece you written Sir Okaji.
A poem to remembers…
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When Jilanne gave me the title, I had no idea where the poem would go. But here it is. Thank you for your kind words.
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I just read the story behind the title… your poem aptly captured the essence! You inspire me… a lot! Well done!
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Sometimes a poem seems to write itself. This was one of those times.
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So true.
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Beautiful poem!
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Thank you, Merril. It’s strange how these occur – it never would have been written had Jilanne not provided the title.
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Yes, sometimes it just takes that spark. 🙂
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So true. I wish I could bottle those sparks. 🙂
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Robert this is really beautiful. I returned today knowing I had only begun to read it yesterday. On first reading I was so taken (mesmerized) by the title and first three lines… the rest was just a blur. I trust I will return to it again.
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Isn’t that a wonderful title? It’s one of the beauties of the 30/30 Challenge – people provide such gifts. And thank you for your kind words.
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They say that music expresses what words cannot convey; they are wrong. There will always be words as long as there is poetry.
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Poetry certainly helps me express what I would otherwise find difficult to say.
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Same 🙂
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Read this, like and comment!
Love yours!
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Thanks for the link.
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Very Creative!
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Thank you, CG.
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I love, love the last three stanzas. Keep it up!
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Thank you. I’ll do my best!
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