Jupiter Falling

Stood here, alone, at the very edge, as quiet 
   Morning breaks;                                               
 Rumblings from a distant train, low overhead   
     A Peewit flies:-                                  
Those strange, mewing calls; it sounds as if the
   Whole fate                                           
 Of a diminished race should hang upon some
     Shrill utterance of a wandering bird's cry.           
And heard in that plaintive cry? All the vast, 
   Widening breadth found only in a far out solitude.   
 An unsettling, fragile stillness this. Just then,                                  
     Above the flattened, grey dawn, Jupiter stalling --                    
But grasped, to be tumbled in a mad, rushing,
   Sudden downward swoop                                                                    
 Of scooped up air! Earth eagerly tilting to 
     Purposefully confuse                               
When urging about disaster -- the fractured horizon
   Partly disintegrating whilst partly reforming...    
 But that masterful          
     Bird, buoyed, secured within his dizzying loop;       
Where from, arrogant Jupiter, still garbed yet                     
   In faded glory...now falling, falling, falling.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

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

Chiri Avatar
January 10, 2021 at 5:22 PM
Ahh see I have missed your pOTD!;( you should have told me John! I don’t get here often but I see I will have to make it here so I can keep track of your marvelous words!;) All my affection Brenda
Hamilton Avatar
September 2, 2020 at 8:43 AM
What a pleasure to read another offering from you John, and I see congrats are in order POTD a fitting reward for a poet so worthy!
Fleming Avatar
September 4, 2020 at 1:14 AM
Lovely to see you again, John! Long time no see. Hope you are in both excellent health and excellent mind. Many thanks for such kind comments...I can assure you it is very much appreciated. I will be doing the rounds very soon...will stop by your little corner and call in. Stay safe, John -- my very warmest regards! :) john
Michael Avatar
September 1, 2020 at 3:34 PM
Congratulations John Fleming on POTD...Well done
Fleming Avatar
September 4, 2020 at 1:08 AM
Hi, Arturo. Thank you for taking the time to visit in the first place...and double the thanks for commenting. My best regards! :) john
Andresen Avatar
September 1, 2020 at 2:27 AM
- Congratulations on your p.o.t.d., John (...and one day late ) ... congratulations on your B- day, hope you had a great day :) - // Anne-Lise :)
Fleming Avatar
September 1, 2020 at 1:17 PM
Hello, Anne-Lise...so very nice to see you putting in an appearance again. Allow me to say that you are as welcome here, at my little corner of the great Soup, as anyone. Please accept my thanks for visiting and leaving such kind comments -- much appreciated. My very best regards, Anne-Lise! :) john P.s I will pay you a return visit very soon. :)
Logan Avatar
September 1, 2020 at 1:27 AM
What pensive lines you've written, John. Congratulations on it having been chosen as potd.
Fleming Avatar
September 1, 2020 at 1:10 PM
Thank you ever so much, Jenna...it is very nice of you to say so. And thank you too for taking time to visit and comment in the first place -- very much appreciated! My best regards. :) john
Marcum Wong Avatar
August 31, 2020 at 9:13 PM
Happy birthday my friend. Congratulations on the honor of POTD! I loved this. Blessings xxoo
Fleming Avatar
September 1, 2020 at 1:07 PM
Hello Connie. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than to see you appearing on my page...for nobody has ever been more encouraging or kinder than yourself regarding my poor amateurish scribbles. I do so much hope you are feeling a little more settled now: may you find peace and tranquillity...and draw strength from all that is about you. My very warmest wishes as ever, Connie. :) john
Pandit Avatar
August 31, 2020 at 3:58 PM
Happy Birthday, John! Congrats on poem of the day..a lovely poem.
Fleming Avatar
September 1, 2020 at 12:42 PM
Hello Vijay. Nice to see you once more. I hope you are well and fit. Thank you for taking the time to visit and comment...you always did leave me such kind and encouraging remarks...it is always very much appreciated I can assure you. My very best regards as always. :) john
Watt Avatar
August 31, 2020 at 3:17 PM
John, such marvelous poetic movement with your avian and celestial musings. A hearty congratulations for you POTD, and what a serendipity to receive the honor on your birthday! Hope you enjoy both ~ John
Fleming Avatar
September 1, 2020 at 12:35 PM
John, your kind and gracious remarks are most appreciated -- thank you ever so much! Please feel free to visit and comment at any time...you will always be welcome. My best regards! :) john
Koplin Avatar
August 31, 2020 at 2:38 PM
Happy Birthday and Congrats on POTD!
Fleming Avatar
September 1, 2020 at 12:31 PM
Thank you, Mark, for your birthday wishes and kind remark...rest assured you will always be most welcome here - cheers! :) john
De Beaulieu Avatar
August 31, 2020 at 11:29 AM
Hello John Fleming, i feel like i have been on a trio to outer space. Congratulations on your win. Enjoy your day my friend.
De Beaulieu Avatar
September 2, 2020 at 11:36 AM
Hello John Fleming, I do hope you had a good birthday celebration. Enjoy your daymy friend.
Fleming Avatar
September 1, 2020 at 12:22 PM
Thank you for the birthday wishes, Darlene. :) john
De Beaulieu Avatar
September 1, 2020 at 11:31 AM
Hello John Fleming, I want to wish you a Happy Birthday. Enjoy your special day with family and your friends. Age is just a number. Enjoy your day. my friend.
Fleming Avatar
August 31, 2020 at 12:10 PM
Hello, Darlene. How very nice to see you again...you are always most welcome here I can assure you. Many thanks for the visit and kind comments. My very best wishes! :) john P.s an extra special honour for me this POTD award...for today is my birthday :)
Kauffman Avatar
August 31, 2020 at 10:13 AM
Hi John. Congratulations on your POTD. There is such depth in your poem with vivid images of "fractured horizon," "flattened, grey dawn - Jupiter careening through space and time while the "wandering bird" flies as if nothing is happening. Very impressive.
Fleming Avatar
August 31, 2020 at 12:06 PM
Thank you, Sam. Yes, great Jupiter caught up in a birds sudden swoop: tumbled, humbled...and released to fall back into the abyss. Your gracious comments are much appreciated -- cheers! :) john
Goldsmith Avatar
August 31, 2020 at 9:30 AM
Congratulations on your P.O.T.D. win. What a story/poem. Out there is so much we do not know. Enjoy your win and day...............
Fleming Avatar
August 31, 2020 at 12:00 PM
Thank you, Paula, for taking time to visit and comment. My best regards! :) john
Nicole Avatar
August 31, 2020 at 8:26 AM
There is so much out there in space that is hidden, and I may never understand it all. (That's okay) I know God created everything. I find the planets, the stars and the moon- simply fascinating. This poem is captivating in so many amazing ways. Congratulations John, on Poem of the Day. ~ Brandy
Fleming Avatar
September 1, 2020 at 1:19 PM
Thank you, Brandy! When I have a spare moment I will repay the kindness and make a visit to your little corner of the Soup. My very best regards! :) john
Nicole Avatar
August 31, 2020 at 12:12 PM
Such a nice gift indeed. Happy Birthday John. :) Brandy
Fleming Avatar
August 31, 2020 at 11:55 AM
Hello, Brandy. Thank you for the kind comments and high accolade...it is very much appreciated I can assure you. :) john P.s it was also extra nice to receive this honour on my birthday.
Mcgee Avatar
August 30, 2020 at 6:53 AM
Hi John...I could feel the plummet of the fall, buoyed by the wind beneath my wings...I had to read the whole twice, your words captured me thoroughly...I wanted to again hear the bird's cry of humanity. great write.
Fleming Avatar
August 30, 2020 at 10:47 PM
Thank you, Jeanne...you are most gracious. Please be assured you are always very welcome here. My very best wishes! :) john P.s Part II of "The Last Warrior" will be uploaded today...I hope it would meet your expectations. :)
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