Flying

FLYING

Before I ever thought of age
I dreamed of running through the woods
And lifting my feet from the ground and flying.
Only a few inches up, not over trees.
But yard after yard, gliding into Spring
And never falling.

College came, soon in the Fall.
It was the time. I was of age.
Still I would look to the Spring
For trips back to my youth filled woods
And climbing mountains full of trees
I would again dream of flying.

A wife and children, how time flies
Year after year from Springs to Falls.
I taught the kids about the trees
Still young enough and at the age
When mystery still lived in woods
And life was always almost Spring.

We bought a cabin near a spring
I taught the kids to fish with flies
The sun sneaked through soft pine woods 
And lit up everything where it fell.
Oh, those were the days, that was the age
When all we needed for friends were trees.

I gaze out through the glass .High over trees.
Ten stories up  above an outdoor’s Spring.
Jobs are hard in this new age.
But still I dream of flying.
I will retire in the Fall
To mountains and familiar woods.

They are all gone. I’m in the woods
Surrounded by familiar trees.
The cabin sulks in shades of Fall
Afraid there may not be a Spring.
Or dreams of flying
At my age.

The woods will still be there in Spring.
The trees will bloom. The new birds fly.
And someone else will look to Fall and flying through the ages.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Fenn Avatar
September 2, 2021 at 4:38 PM
What a beautiful, poignant sestina. Destination are hard to write, but you pulled it off. Hats off to you, Richard!
Gauthier Avatar
February 11, 2021 at 2:50 PM
A pleasure to find your delightful poem published in the 2020 PS Anthology, Richard~
Hay Avatar
May 14, 2018 at 3:52 PM
I love how you managed to keep this flowing without the feeling of repetition that some Sestina poems end up doing. Beautifully done. Warm regards, Laura
White Avatar
February 7, 2017 at 11:41 AM
Never stop dreaming of flying... I still do. I close my eyes and dream whatever I like. Possible, impossible. Your poem speaks so much of nostalgia, a little sad, and very beautiful.
A  Avatar
July 4, 2015 at 11:35 PM
Richard, CONGRATULATIONS, on having your poem featured on the soup's home page. Enjoy the coming week. Take Care ~SKAT~
Jordan Avatar
July 5, 2015 at 11:45 AM
Hi SKAT. Thanks for the visit to my sestina. I've enjoyed a number of you haikus and want to try a triolet next, it's just hard to get the repeated verses not sounding boring. I loved Dandelion Dreams, and the format worked well there.
Squires Avatar
February 6, 2015 at 1:40 PM
Good write...reminds me of my dreams of flying which began much the same just deciding not top put my foot down as I ran and on I glided down the path. Such fun. Good job.
Jordan Avatar
February 6, 2015 at 3:56 PM
Thanks, John. I see you believe what you said in "Don't Look Back". I just joined poetry soup this week. It's good to get feedback and I appreciate it. Keeps you writing!!
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace