John Fleming Poet Rhyme

Flighted Death

O half-broke wing-back, wind buoyed Kite --             
Thou is beautiful! Thou'st cruelly conspired:-          
An all conquering indifference - yours a tyrant's ire!  
Yours the mewing notes of the notched pipe...           
You lent it out to give the reed high-pitched form;     
And, reflected in its final, crashing flight,           
Yours is the Phoenix's terrible, blazing silhouette!        
Long I have marveled at some other lines...and yet,    
Although awed at such perfect efficiency, upon sight  
Of one particular viciousness I felt forewarned             
Of a dreadful act soon to be committed; but might       
Well we excuse all murderous intent, for the higher     
Art of killing is not ours alone: all what we admire    
In war contained in a dart; even the night          

Will never have known such a terror! Then a solitary 
Bird tumbling down to tear at the rotting carrion....
But not before the crackling voice pleads: "we must 
Soldier on, we must soldier on, we must soldier on"..........

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Brenda Chiri October 22, 2019 at 12:19 PM John no matter what the subject you always leave me spell bound kind sir!;) lovin your words! a bit too much maybe? Lol all my affection kind sir!;)

John Hamilton May 30, 2019 at 5:14 PM This is an excellent example of your singular talent John. Such an enigmatic poem that draws the reader in with every stroke of genius. It's sometimes bewildering when these strokes of genius seem to be gifts from on high and come without warning. My muse often pokes me at 2 am but once I awaken I must write it down. Glad you shared!

Connie Marcum Wong March 7, 2019 at 8:00 PM John, It is for poets such as you I thought of when I wrote 'The Bard' my friend. Your words pulling one into the enigma of this bird's life that almost ended in extinction. It is always a pleasure to read your unparalleled pen my friend. My health has kept me from commenting as much as I used to. It is wonderful to read your poetry again. Blessings, Connie : ) xxoo