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I Used to Have Wings, But Now I Can Fly
| Open Poetry #10 |
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I Used to Have Wings, But Now I Can Fly |
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Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296Purgatorial Incarceration 
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I Used to Have Wings, But Now I Can Fly ©2000 Christopher Ward really, it was just one photograph, a familiar rendering from the rippled ends of For-Never. really just the black and white coloring of smiles jaded slightly by the yellowing of Time. but this photograph... not long past as far as the world is concerned, still seemed a lifetime of Old to me. I knew at that moment that I shouldn’t have touched your paper face, or kissed those silently parted lips. I knew I should have moved on... brinked at the edge of Nothing, a glutton for punishment, I guess - See, I couldn’t walk away Then, so how could I leave your memory Now? I tried, but it reminded me too much of candlelight cravings, frantic grabbings and whispered fantasies. it re-lived the gushing laughter there on the salty shores of Irony. and it brought back that day when there was hope in the Darkness. yeah, when we turned out the lights to fight the temporal comfort of arms holding Safety - from unspoken battles. guess it wasn’t so idyllic after all. night after night, expectations railed smooth by skewed perceptions, spinning caustic lows into inversed peaks of manic romantic idealism. giddy in the upper atmosphere there, floating, we could ignore Insecurity basking in Perfection outside Solitude. then the bubble popped, the road ended and I shook my head, dizzy in disbelief. the past, sneaks up on you in moments like that. so I turned the corner of Awareness and walked away. I couldn’t Then, I couldn’t Now. somehow though - I managed to span that bridge and find myself at the other side of Pain and Lonely left behind. not without a price, though. I had aged as I gazed there, tears in my eyes at the sight of Memory. I missed You in that moment, I think missed you more than I had since... well, since the last time. |
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| © Copyright 2000 C.G. Ward - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
Wow. This left me with a sob ready to explode from my chest. But held back by the sadness and sheer beauty of this poem. This has become my favorite of yours. Wonderful sir. You continue to amaze me. |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
O Christopher, who among us have not visited the photographs... and kissed the parted lips... at least once in our lifetime? the feelings you have invoked.... Karilea If I whisper, will you listen?... I would rather be silent and write, then speak loudly and be bound. KRJ |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Chris, even through the sadness, this is beautiful...full of wisdom of the past and hope for the future...I loved this...Hugs to you. |
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LoveBug
Moderator
Member Elite
since 2000-01-08
Posts 4697 |
"I missed You in that moment, I think missed you more than I had since... well, since the last time." Chris, this brought tears to my eyes. The pain of the past never really leaves us, does it? You describe it well, as usual. Thanks for sharing. False gems may shine as brightly as the genuine article, but there are always those who can tell the difference. |
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Lone Wolf Member Ascendant
since 2000-03-16
Posts 5842Lansing, MI USA |
Christopher, Looking back is never easy, but sometimes you just have to take a peek to remember what it was like and why it turned out the way it did. I thought this was a beautiful piece filled with forgotten hopes that once revisited were surrounded by pain and sorrow. Of course, writing about it helps us cope. Well done. Lone Wolf< !signature--> Poetry should surprise by fine excess...it should strike the reader as a wording of his own highest thoughts and appear almost a remembrance. -J.Keats [This message has been edited by Lone Wolf (edited 11-12-2000).] |
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ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada |
Christopher what an absolutely wonderful work .....I love the reflections and the direct hit on hurt and pain and then the poignant look into the past.....sad but yet loving and tender all at the same time.very very well written piece...take care...ethome |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
really, it was just one photograph, a familiar rendering from the rippled ends of For-Never. =================== I knew at that moment that I shouldn’t have touched your paper face, or kissed those silently parted lips. I knew I should have moved on... brinked at the edge of Nothing, a glutton for punishment, I guess - See, I couldn’t walk away Then, so how could I leave your memory Now? ============== we could ignore Insecurity basking in Perfection outside Solitude. then the bubble popped, the road ended and I shook my head, dizzy in disbelief. the past, sneaks up on you in moments like that. so I turned the corner of Awareness and walked away. I couldn’t Then, I couldn’t Now. somehow though - I managed to span that bridge and find myself at the other side of Pain and Lonely left behind. not without a price, though. I had aged as I gazed there, tears in my eyes at the sight of Memory. I missed You in that moment, I think missed you more than I had since... well, since the last time. ================== Christopher ... this is an amazing, show of talent, emotional soul and poetic heart. there were so many lines that effected me I could have highlighted the whole poem. you have defined and captured the ache ... the kicked in the chest feeling of the process we go thru in accepting and letting go. So many perfect lines were found here but this one really struck me in its pure profound poetic truth ... "I had aged as I gazed there," you went deep for this piece of work...and took your poetry to new heights. your command of free verse leaves me with a serious case of poetic envy...  awesome poetry...truly jm |
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Celeste Senior Member
since 2000-11-11
Posts 597 |
Outstanding!!!!! I truly admire the uniqueness (even if I lack spelling) of your writing. The bare honesty...emotional depth...I applaud!!!!!! To capture and live a moment is truly living |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Had to come back to say, that I too, love, "For-Never...." you've added to me vocabulary. |
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devina Member Elite
since 1999-10-28
Posts 3539Cali |
What is this Chris??!! I leave for a bit and come back to find that you've gotten soft on me??? G* Really though, my dear friend- you should show this side to the world...tis just as beautiful on paper, as if it were coming from your soul... Take care of yourself!! Open arms can be the most fragile in the world... |
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SpitFire Member Elite
since 2000-04-19
Posts 2396 |
~Christopher,...can't tell you how many times I have come back to this. Can't tell you what is says to me. Ok,...maybe I will. . In e. ~ However, for here, now, know that I see things, that fill, seriously,...fill my insides with this admiration, of you and your ability to express such things so amazingly. Awesome Mister. Oh, and the title,...grmph! Totally! ~000~ *Peace you.[This message has been edited by SpitFire (edited 11-12-2000).] |
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dragonpoe Senior Member
since 2000-11-12
Posts 608Palm Bay, Florida |
Beautiful. I love "For-Never" that one word caught my eye and led me on the rest of the way. Enjoyed this. |
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Irish Rose Member Patricius
since 2000-04-06
Posts 10263 |
This is very intriguing, Christopher, you put a lot into this one. "When red-haired girls scamper like roses over the rain-green grass, and the sun drips honey."" Laurie Lee Kathleen |
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Irish Rose Member Patricius
since 2000-04-06
Posts 10263 |
This is very intriguing, Christopher, you put a lot into this one. "When red-haired girls scamper like roses over the rain-green grass, and the sun drips honey."" Laurie Lee Kathleen |
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EagleOne Member Elite
since 2000-03-07
Posts 2829Between a laugh and a tear... |
Awesome work Christopher! beautifully exprressed! "The heart and soul have no illusion of boundries when friendship is the quest" ~ My Angel. |
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Elizabeth Cor Senior Member
since 2000-10-13
Posts 879Over the river and through the woods |
So I'm sitting here with this little ache in my chest, and I can't stop re-reading, and I have to stop at the words: "See, I couldn't walk away Then, so how could I leave your memory Now?" because they describe the stupid simple motive for the feelings I'm having now -- which are at once empathetic and selfish and acid-nostalgic… *sigh* I don't know whether to congratulate you for another excellent composition, or to loathe you for stirring up latent emotions (which are more real after reading them out in this bare space). This is beautiful. This is nearly painful to read. Oh, and… night after night, expectations railed smooth by skewed perceptions, spinning caustic lows into inversed peaks of manic romantic idealism ...amazing. {{{{{{HUGSAPLENTY}}}}}} ~ Beth |
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Sudhir Iyer Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943Mumbai, India : now in Belgium |
O Chris, this is so evocative.... so real... so well written... Such a great pleasure to read your poems... Regards, Sudhir |
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Nicole Senior Member
since 1999-06-23
Posts 1835Florida |
not without a price, though. I had aged as I gazed there, tears in my eyes at the sight of Memory. I missed You in that moment, I think missed you more than I had since... well, since the last time. I know this, Chris. And, it actually made me want to cry. *shaking head* It's just one of those 'things', yanno? There's strength in understanding... Hugs (many BOL) Nic |
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Alwye
Moderator
Member Elite
since 1999-06-16
Posts 3850In the space between moments |
Yanno Chris, how is it that you can capture such exquisite sorrow and make the words flow like they were meant to fit together? Anyways, extraordinary job my friend, I love reading you, Sir Christopher. *curties*  *Krista Knutson* "One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar." Helen Keller |
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Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296Purgatorial Incarceration |
Sharon - I don't know what I'd do without you and your support lady. Kari - Sorry bout that.. they're not "nice" feelings. S'en - Hey, what can I say? Glad to have added to your repetiore!Erica - Hmm - no, I don't think it does - we only come to accept it batter.. Thank You. Lone Wolf - If I could write about it, it would tear me apart. Thank you. ethome - Your words humble me. Thank you! JM - You lady - always bringing a smile - there's a few of you here that can do it - you're one. Thank you. I can but allow my hands to move and pen what's inside. I'm grateful that the chords aren't heard simply by me. dreamkeeper - Looks like you spelled it right to me! And to be called unique is a high honor indeed! Thank you! Tanya - I know, I know - and yes, there is a soft spot (on the back of my head....) Thanks you -  A - "grrmph?" And that means what? Good or bad? Thankee & hugggzdragonpoe - Thank you for continuing after my little "made-up!" Kathleen - Thanks you - I put a lot into everything I do. Eagle One - Thank you for taking the time to read and reply! Beth - Welp lady - your response 'bout near brought me to tears. An incredible reply from an incredible lady. (But don't tell anyone I said it, 'cause I'd deny it.) (((((HUGSAPLENTY))))) backatcha Sudhir - Good to see you back 'round m'friend! Thank you for gracing this with your comments! Nic - *SIGH* I know that you know that I know that you know about me knowing about you knowing about something... only, I forgot what it was...  Krista - Wow - now that's a wonderfully poetic reply in and of itself - Thank you for the time and the understanding! Hugs all - C |
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Paula Finn Member Ascendant
since 2000-06-17
Posts 5546missouri |
Oh Christopher...I sit here just stunned... |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Christopher, my hat is off to you for an absolutely brilliant piece of writing. This is exceptional.... |
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Rosebud1229 Senior Member
since 2000-04-05
Posts 1813North Carolina |
Christopher, words easily dance upon my mind, the gentle memories of a picture can stir up memories as if they are happening now, words can not describe the beauty in this poem it tells of real love not just something temporal but eternal. Lovely write |
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Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296Purgatorial Incarceration |
Paula - Thank you very much - I assume that's good? Bal - Your words of praise are all that much more valuable because they're rare... or do you want something... Rosebud - Indeed eternal - and thank you for such a poetically thoughtful reply. I value it! Chris |
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Gemini Senior Member
since 1999-12-15
Posts 1203Wisconsin, USA |
Christopher-You've captured that feeling, simply dazzling. |
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bestgirl911 Senior Member
since 2000-10-04
Posts 551Clio, MI , United We Stand |
simply beautiful..... Best |
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Casablanca Confidential Junior Member
since 2000-11-15
Posts 13Virgin Islands |
yeah those photographs of love gone by can creep up on you at the most in-opportune times... nice poem Christopher you know how to whistle... just pucker up and blow |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
 dang |
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