navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #7 » My Favorite Poem (JM's Challange)
Open Poetry #7
Post A Reply Post New Topic My Favorite Poem (JM's Challange) Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA

0 posted 2000-06-09 05:45 PM


Although I've met a lot of challanges on Passions, this was perhaps one of the hardest to meet..I have a lot of poems I consider my favorites and all for many different reasons, be it the message or the format. I chose this one because it in itself was a challange and probably the most difficult poem I've ever written in my life. The challange was to write and Acrostic Sestina...either one a feat, but coupled together...pure hell       Anyway, this was the result of that challange and to me the message means everything. I was that bird who dreamed of flight and found my wings over a year and a half ago when I left an abusive marriage...I'm still not real good on these wings, but learning day by day and flying is wonderful      

She Dreamed Of Flight (An Acrostic Sestina)

S
he lived trapped in a gilded cage
Open doors only a dream
Mystical the clouds for her
Eyes forever on the skies
Transfixed with images of flight
Inspired by her damaged wings

Molted feathers from her wings
Encased the bottom of her cage
She wondered if she’d ever fly
Ever realize her dreams
Venture high up in the skies
Enchanting clouds surrounding her

Night after night, dreams came to her
As she longed to spread her wings
Soft, misty visions of blue skies
Intrigued her there within her cage
Nights haunted by these longing dreams
Gave rise to days with hopes of flight

Lost in images of flight
Each day became a quest for her
Forever reaching for her dreams
Envisioned flight on flawless wings
Avenging life within her cage
Transcending bars to reach the skies

Harbinger to freedom’s skies
Enraptured in her quest for flight
Resigned no more inside her cage
Songs of reproach emit from her
Enticing her to spread her wings
No longer lost within her dreams

Outward now, beyond her dreams
Unleashed she rises in calm skies
Gracefully on outstretched wings
High in the cloudy air she flies
Taken once, freedom’s now hers
Outside the bounds of her own cage

Far away, now, from her gilded cage
Life had once been cruel to her
Yet through her dreams, she learned to fly

Sometimes even a single feather's enough to fly
< !signature-->

 To love means never to be afraid of the windstorms of life: should you shield the canyons from the windstorms you would never see the true beauty of their carvings. ~Elizabeth Kubler-Ross



[This message has been edited by hoot_owl_rn (edited 06-09-2000).]

© Copyright 2000 Ruth Kephart - All Rights Reserved
First__Knight
Senior Member
since 1999-11-08
Posts 678

1 posted 2000-06-09 05:49 PM


Oh Lady Hoot this is indeed lovely......and deserves more justice than I could ever give......

 It takes only a minute to get a crush on someone, an hour to like someone, a day to love someone, but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.


Dark Angel
Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095

2 posted 2000-06-09 05:52 PM


Oh Ruth I remember this, it is so beautiful hon and it still touched me deeply    ....
"Sometimes even a single feather is enough to fly" ...   how true!

have missed you Ruth.  
Love you
Maree

 Je t'aime plus qu'hier et moins que demain."
I love you more than yesterday and less than tomorrow
(unkown)



Sudhir Iyer
Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943
Mumbai, India : now in Belgium
3 posted 2000-06-09 05:56 PM


By all the powers vested in me, Elation
Raged a war inside my head, fierce
Into this spiral, I move in admiration
Loving each bit of this work of art from peers,
Lulling me into mental incapacitation.
Intoxicated by sheer beauty's fixation,
Adoring each word as it comes, to my sight
Never have I imagined the presentation,
To have been penned by this rustic in plight...

BRILLIANT is what brilliant gets, shining, dazzling by mere presence, RUTH, you have really a great piece here, that I can sit and admire, adore, accolades galore....

Many regards, sudhir.< !signature-->

 My heart is pounding, my stomach's inside out
I'm feeling kind-a-shaky, my mind is full of doubt
All I ever think about, is fearing fear itself,
Wish I could unscrew my head and put it on the shelf
Everything is twisted, everything is oh so tight,
Don't know what I'm looking at, the lights are all too bright
My brain's about to crumble, spill out on the floor
Sweep 'em up. Throw 'em away, don't want 'em anymore
Clouds race across the sky, day turns into night,
Still there are the questions, no answers in sight
Everything is twisted, everything is oh so tight,
Starin' out the window, everything is just too bright
Brain's about to crumble, spill out on the floor,
Wish I could unscrew my head, and kick it out the door...
You know I'm feeling kind-a....Strange
You know I'm feeling kind-a....Strange

~ Strange ~ Joe Satriani (Flying in a Blue Dream)




[This message has been edited by Sudhir Iyer (edited 06-10-2000).]

hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
4 posted 2000-06-09 06:00 PM


Sudhir Iyer..wow, what can I say but thank you. Wonderful acrostic although I'm not sure that I am deserving it, but thank you so much  

David...thanks  

DA...I miss you too hon  


brian madden
Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 4374
ireland
5 posted 2000-06-09 06:10 PM


Harbinger to freedom’s skies
Enraptured in her quest for flight
Resigned no more inside her cage
Songs of reproach emit from her
Enticing her to spread her wings
No longer lost within her dreams


a wonderful poem especially the above verse.

Sometimes even a single feather's enough to fly I love that image wonderful wisdom. Excellent poem as always Ruth.



 ------------------------
"I've been too honest with myself I should have lied like everybody else"-Richey Edwards

"Take nothing but pictures. Leave nothing but footprints. Kill nothing but time".

Baltimore Grotto

"Libraries gave us power
Then work came and made us free
What price now for a shallow piece of dignity"
Nicky Wire, A design for Life.

manic street preachers
"Rock 'n' roll is our epiphany
Culture, alienation, boredom and despair"

"To be nobody-but-yourself-in a world which is doing its best night and day, to make you everybody else - means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting."

E.E Cummings.



Danny Holloway
Member Elite
since 2000-01-15
Posts 2034
Tulsa, OK
6 posted 2000-06-09 06:13 PM


I can understand why this is your favorite.
INCREDIBLE WRITING! from our Princess of Poetry.
dh



 A life isn't significant except for its impact on other lives.


Sudhir Iyer
Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943
Mumbai, India : now in Belgium
7 posted 2000-06-09 06:14 PM


meknows, you deserve it Ruth, and please call me, sudhir....

I had most fun writing it, and I am glad you liked it.......and you are welcome

warm regards

Honeybee
Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-26
Posts 5372
Ontario, CANADA
8 posted 2000-06-09 06:49 PM



Ruth, first let me say that I understand completely how hard it was for you to choose a favourite poem of yours because every single poem that you have shared with us is a gem!  This is an amazing acrostic sestina for many reasons

1)  They are hard to write and yours is
perfection and expressed so deeply and well

2) The subject matter: My Mom had a marriage like yours and I commend you for having the courage to do the right thing and leave before it was too late.  Abuse is a very hard subject for me to talk about and think about, people who don't experience it can't even understand and I am truly sorry that it had to happen to you.  On the bright side, it allowed you to write this poem and spread your wings


I am so glad that you have wings now to fly and experience happiness once again    Challenge well met!

Take care,
Melissa Honeybee

Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
9 posted 2000-06-09 08:30 PM


How well I remember this one, Ruth. I can't readily pick out a favorite of yours, either, but this one would be right up there for sure. Hope you're doing well..........
Janet Marie
Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

10 posted 2000-06-10 12:51 PM


*BOWING BEFORE THE QUEEN*

WOW WOW WOW HOOT-GIRL THIS IS AMAZING!!
thank you for reposting this jewel for those of us who had not had the pleasure
what an awesome poem
and not just because of the style of writing but for the content and message.
superb my dear...
wny I do believe you've earned SECONDS ON OATMEAL!!! LOL
later-hoot-gator
jm

hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
11 posted 2000-06-10 08:56 AM


WOW!! I'm at a loss as to what to say to this overwhelming response to this piece...thank you each and every one of you although thanks seems so little to say

Melissa...a special thanks to you for your kind words

JM...you and that oatmeal   Thanks

vandana
Deputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Patricius
since 1999-10-22
Posts 10463
USA
12 posted 2000-06-10 11:38 AM


Enjoyed your poem!!!!!!!
ESP
Member Elite
since 2000-01-25
Posts 2556
Floating gently on a cloud....
13 posted 2000-06-10 02:18 PM


This is a truly wonderful poem, Hoot!! I am so glad you found your wings and flew on to better things. You deserve the best. This poem is becoming one of my favorites now...it is so touching and speaks volumes of wisdom.

Love and hugs,
Lizzie


 "Poetry is the true expression of my soul, it is my ultimate means of communication. It is my rainbow of delight."

Post A Reply Post New Topic ⇧ top of page ⇧ Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.
navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #7 » My Favorite Poem (JM's Challange)

Passions in Poetry | pipTalk Home Page | Main Poetry Forums | 100 Best Poems

How to Join | Member's Area / Help | Private Library | Search | Contact Us | Login
Discussion | Tech Talk | Archives | Sanctuary