Night Wings

Darkness gathers in
a raucous cloud of wings
to swell in trees, a seething mass
of movement like a maggot ball 
hung high in a canopy until all 
subsides into a folded quiet.

Air then becomes the domain 
of the silent whose
wings beat in whispers 
and are cloaked in stealth.
My mind paints a picture of an owl
swooping low with talons
drawn to hook an unwary
mouse. Raptors are no threat
to me.

I fear those other wings
let loose by man that my eyes
cannot see, but slice the air 
on the edge of hearing, 
can fly clean through 
the center of thought
and decapitate a feeling. These
wings kill or leave wounds 
that weep and never heal.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

Poem

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Toney Avatar
May 30, 2023 at 9:21 AM
Every time I read this, Paul, U2's song "Bullet the Blue Sky" comes to mind. Added to my list of Favs.
Willason Avatar
May 30, 2023 at 5:08 PM
Many thanks Mark. Will make a point to listen to the U2 track. Appreciate your comments and giving the poem your time. Regards, Paul
Kitchin Avatar
May 29, 2023 at 11:50 AM
Paul, brilliantly penned, love the dark and mysterious imagery.
Willason Avatar
May 30, 2023 at 12:10 AM
Thankyou Tania for your comments. Pleased that you took something from the poem...the feedback is very much appreciated and valued. Regards, Paul
Lane Avatar
May 28, 2023 at 8:59 AM
My first thought about a raucous cloud of wings will always be cawing ravens. I always associate them with Poe, and although he is one of my favorites, ravens are now. Then, my mind thought, not of an owl as you did, but of bats. Strange how the same words can lead readers to see things differently. Not of birds do you write... not entirely.
Willason Avatar
May 28, 2023 at 6:08 PM
Thankyou Lin for spending time in the poem. The wonder of poetry is that it is subject to multiple interpretations...all valid. The writer may have a specific meaning in mind but then something else takes over and the poem assumes on its own life. The original source imagery of starlings roosting and winged airborne weapons may be superfluous. Appreciate yr thoughtful words...
Lawless Avatar
May 27, 2023 at 6:38 AM
"Raptors are no threat to me."....and then it got REAL scary....a dramatic shit very well done
Willason Avatar
May 28, 2023 at 5:37 AM
Appreciate your comments John. Raptors are somewhat overshadowed unfortunately by high explosive warheads these days....
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