Steven DaLuz ‘photo’
Updraft
by Jenni Cargill-Strong
There are little nubs growing where my shoulder blades should be
Little nubs and upon them hang wings:
translucent, tremulous, wet, wrinkled, folded.
As I walk here,
the crunch of gravel beneath my boots
the song of the earth reverberates up my legs
and yet how I long to fly
There are words here
floating freely
through the air
through radio waves
through cyberspace
There are words here
golden threads of words, stories that flow
from ear to mouth,
from old to young and
young to old
As I walk those shimmering threads of words
weave themselves into the fabric of my wings
Words have peeled off my coat
that cumbersome heavy black one
words have swept it off my shoulders
it lies discarded, unraveled at my feet
revealing my wings
naked to the kiss of sun and the gentle caress of the breeze
This updraft of words, ideas, inspiration
is building
I long to fly
a bit too high like Icarus
There are little nubs where my shoulder blades should be.
Upon them hang wings: delicate, intricate, magnificent, unfurled.
I am ready for the updraft
ready to soar
a
little
too
high.
I wrote this poem in winter at the 2015 Byron Bay Writer’s Festival. It celebrates some transformations going on in my life and in me. My 16 year relationship with the father of my children had ended. I am posting it today to celebrate my birthday.
I worked as a volunteer this year, and wrote it inspired by a Vollies Poetry Competition organised by Louise Jane Moriarty, and my poem won the competition. Thanks Louise for organising it! I rarely write without a deadline and a provocation.
Happy Solstice for Monday 21 Dec, 2015.
Happy Summer Solstice for those of you in southern hemisphere and happy Winter Solstice to all in the northern hemisphere.
Holly Sierra art
