I always find myself
in that shadow
cast by a single cloud
on an otherwise
cloudless day.
Standing still
the world moves on
and the shadow remains grey.
The shadow of the blackbird soaring high over head
all seeing, all knowing
but never slowing down
It will not tell me the secrets of life.
Just a feather that falls to the ground.
I always find myself
in the shadow
of those that make it
while the rest
are left behind.
Standing still
the world moves on
and I slowly lose my mind.
I’m trying to force myself to not write straightforward rhymes today and I’m not sure how I’m doing (it all feels off!). This is for Imaginary Garden with Real Toads, where today’s Sunday’s Mini-Challenge: Wallace Stevens had us either write something in the style of said poet, or borrow a line from his work for inspiration. For me the line ended up being ‘the shadow of the blackbird’ from Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird, simply because it struck a chord in me somehow.
Note on the photo: Googled shadow of a blackbird and found this photograph attached to another poem on a Tumblr account (untouched since 2013) called Roiled (untouched since 2013); the poem was about… Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird!!! Anyway, no copyright infringement intended – just thought the photo went well with the poem.
To be in the shadow of blackbird and not move on, will make me lose my mind too ~ A grim scene you have painted today & speaks to me of anxiety and despair ~
Thanks for linking up with Real Toads & wishing you Happy Sunday ~
there is a cry for freedom, to soar to be rise higher from your plain, its is sad that this causes the feelings of “losing your mind”
have a good Sunday
much love
This poem has a musical quality which is a delight to read and the imagery taps into the emotive subject matter which the reader can relate to – the sense of standing still while others move ahead.
Love the way you’ve tied the thoughts together.. a great write with lots of rhythm and message in it… But just wait till the blackbird sings and you will be happy for the shadowed place you have.
“Just a feather that falls to the ground” is such a strong image, it leaped out at me.
I didn’t know where to go with this, to be honest, but it had to be the shadow, and there had to be a feather… *smile* Glad you liked it!
a tone of drama here
I had in a stage like that in my life. It feels as one has been left behind, and it’s a bit distressing. This poem expressing that feeling well.
I like the way you have rhymed this — just enough, I’d say, to anchor the freer form. I like your poem very much, though the ending was a bit of a shock. I like best of all the lines,
It will not tell me the secrets of life.
Just a feather that falls to the ground.
PS Please have a quick look at your comment on my poem; I’ve left you a question about it. I’m sure you can guess what question! 🙂
I went back and answered, but not sure if the comment was saved (blogger and I sometimes disagrees on whether I’m a robot or not)… Let me know if it didn’t, please!
the gift of the feather to me is like a key to the story of life telling not to slow down…a beautiful poem…
Lack of confidence…the world passing so quickly while feet are moving too slow..this speaks so many different things to me, many of which I identify with. Great capture of the style and writing it with your unique voice.
it does go with your cool pen, CC ~
This sound is terrific, CC, just wonderfully musical and makes a very interesting contrast with the feeling of being left behind and the losing of one’s mind–it is not ditty-like, but it underlines the sense of repetition and fate the speaker feels. Agh. That kind of isolation is terrible. k.
ps – thanks for letting me know about the 2016. For some reason it came up as a tag and it seemed the latest year! Ha. Crazy. Thanks. k.
I would say your non-use of rhyme, however it may feel writing it, serves your poem well and reads naturally and with good impact–I have seen that pic before all over the place–it’s perfect for your poem, and your poem excels at the challenge–the first few lines I especially love.