I can see the wings
growing in on your back
the little tufts of feathers
they hurt, don't they?
that's okay, little bird
it'll be okay
I remember when I got my wings
they hurt, too
but then they stopped hurting
and I found out I could fly
with practice
when your wings grow in
they'll call you an angel
some will call you a demon
really, it doesn't matter
what they call you
or even who you are
angels and demons are so close
to each other anyway
you can hate your wings
and take a knife to your back
(you'll try to cut them away
but the wings are there to stay
forever)
I tried to sever my wings
from my back once
they were heavy
and I was tired
it hurt
so
much
but my wings were unbreakable
(I, am not unbreakable)
I shattered the knife
and cut into my skin
but my wings? they're still there
and then one day
I jumped
and I discovered
flight
I didn't cut into my skin
I didn't try to clip my wings
instead, I flew
I was infinite
I was free
I was happy
but oh, my wings have grown tired
they don't want to fly
anymore
I am no longer a bird
or an angel
or a demon
I am just
me
(and I want to fly
but I can't fly)
when your wings grow in
they'll keep you safe
and one day
you'll fly, too
so fly for me, okay?
don't let your wings go heavy
I think
if I jump again
I'll fly again
I just have to be brave enough
to take the leap
YOU ARE READING
BURN (Wattys2015?)
Poetry"Poetry...is thoughts that breathe and words that burn."--Thomas Gray "Poetry is just the evidence of life. If your life is burning well, poetry is just the ash." --Leonard Cohen Poems on the tough stuff in life. Poems on the crazy good stuff in li...
