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essential journey
by Elizabeth Jill
the first time I had wings I flew
I didn't know how
or whether to
I simply flew
the next time I had wings I flew
I worried how
or whether to
and awkwardly I flew and flew
the next time I had wings I fought
I slammed and flopped and knew what not
and I was only spinning through
the first time I have wings is now
I only know to fly somehow
I'm trying now
04/16/2009 Author's Note:
You and I have looked despair in the eye and we are still breathing.
If ever you find yourself nervous, afraid, doubtful, hesitating, -please continue with yourself. Whether it be writing, your art, character, healing, hope, -please continue. Because, listen: every moment is new. Every moment really is *now*.
There is a reason I'm saying this to you today. It will come up later when the time is appropriate.
Love, Jill
Posted on 04/16/2009
Copyright © 2026 Elizabeth Jill
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Laurie Blum on 04/16/09 at 05:42 PM An inspiring poem..one to read and re-read as often as it is needed. Strong and excellent work Elizabeth! |
| Posted by Gabriel Ricard on 04/16/09 at 06:40 PM It's a pretty fascinating journey, too. Good stuff. |
| Posted by Laura Doom on 04/16/09 at 10:00 PM Sometimes your words are more than gravity can bear; the wish of wings refused to fly before the bird had learnt to cry... |
| Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 04/16/09 at 10:28 PM To me, this acts as a powerful metaphor of how many of us lose that childhood innocence, and learn to fear what came natural in our earliest days, especially as we are slowly brainwashed into becoming part of the system. The same way most children soon lose their psychic abilities, minds a clutter with mathematics, history, etc. Not that that is necessarily a bad thing, but we do indeed lose something, perhaps many things in the process. Fortunately, as we get older, we can also get some of it back. Thanks for the excellent reminder Jill. |
| Posted by Tony Young on 04/17/09 at 06:34 AM Yes Elizabeth, an essential message that so many do not readily see and put across so clearly.
Wonderfull stuff...well done. |
| Posted by Joan Serratelli on 04/17/09 at 12:21 PM Beautiful- a peoerful (and true) message we ALL need to learn! Wonderfuk write, as always! |
| Posted by Tony Whitaker on 04/18/09 at 03:51 AM Elegant Elizabeth! |
| Posted by Kristina Woodhill on 04/19/09 at 02:36 PM My wings always try higher when they read yours. Thank you, my friend. |
| Posted by Maria Massarella on 04/20/09 at 11:10 PM Jill, I linger here on this page, breathe the beauty of your words...watch you fly from verse to verse...and have no words to speak...just these as I listen to the beauty of your poetic voice...*m.a |
| Posted by Scott Utley on 04/22/09 at 04:46 AM Spinning out of control with love .. Oh my! Dear Lord, Oh MY! |
| Posted by Samiah Haque on 04/22/09 at 05:24 PM thank you, thank you, thank you. :) |
| Posted by Quentin S Clingerman on 05/02/09 at 02:19 AM A powerful metaphor! Excellent! |
| Posted by Philip F De Pinto on 07/31/09 at 12:15 PM you mesmerize with your simplicity which I know all too well is hard fought. one wink of your verse bringa felicity to my soul. |
| Posted by JD Clay on 08/01/09 at 01:32 AM The poetics herein are uncanny, EJ. I am forever delighted in your crafty ways. Incidently, I tried that once. Hence the lump!!! |
| Posted by Ashok Sharda on 08/08/09 at 03:53 PM The fear, in its essence, is fear of fear, that is projection of fear, that which can only be projected in a dead or assumed time and not in the time which is notime. NOW. |
| Posted by Glenn Currier on 08/28/09 at 02:06 PM You DO capture the essence of the journey - in our bewilderment, not knowing what is next, to keep jumping from that branch so we will HAVE to use our wings. Great poem, Jill. |
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