The Rudiments of Wings

For holding things, two arms have we -
two arms with hands with which we have been blessed.
Two only – we’ve no need of three.
Two arms to reach with or to cross beneath our chest,
and in two arms of someone special we can be caressed.

Although with our two arms we can reach out,
some things we cannot reach; they are too high!
Our arms perform their functions. But what if we could sprout
wings like angels have, permitting us to fly?
Perfection it would be to touch the sky.

With wings we could do so much more.
As with arms, with two wings we also could enfold
those special people we adore,
yet rudiments of wings (two arms) are to be extolled,
for with two arms, we FEEL the flesh of the ones we hold.

Feb. 25, 2022

Entered March 14, 2022 for A Brian Strand Formed Poetry Contest
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

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Hind Avatar
August 20, 2024 at 5:15 PM
A definite fav for me, Andrea! Wow <3
Staton Avatar
March 28, 2022 at 1:17 AM
What a lovely thought!
Chunn Avatar
March 21, 2022 at 3:39 PM
Two arms....the rudiments of wings....are all that is needed to fill our lives with our loved ones. A noble expression in a beautifully poetic form.
John Avatar
March 17, 2022 at 4:14 AM
A great poem about two arms, Andrea. Thank you.
Ibeh Avatar
March 16, 2022 at 5:29 AM
So glad to see this beauty win yet another contest, Andrea:-) Heartiest congratulations!
Alex Avatar
March 16, 2022 at 1:54 AM
Great work in Quintain (English). Congratulations!
Seeker Avatar
March 3, 2022 at 4:39 AM
Wow! So happy to have come across this incredible write! Congrats on your win in the contest, Andrea!
Ibeh Avatar
March 2, 2022 at 3:44 PM
Heartiest congratulations on your win in my contest, Andrea:-) What a brilliant poem. I really loved the last line!
May Avatar
February 27, 2022 at 7:11 AM
Wonderful write Andrea, best wishes..
Baker Avatar
February 26, 2022 at 5:20 PM
Two loving arms are a blessing to experience. Loved your poem, Andrea. Good luck in the contest. Hugs, Bill ... two arm hugs. :-)
Horn Avatar
February 26, 2022 at 12:12 PM
Never weighed a sin before; Never able to weigh a snore; Or weigh a laugh or a smile; Or weigh the words in a trial. Never weigh my whole soul Not able to weigh my goal; Weigh sound of a bird chip; Know weight of baby burp. Cannot weigh a bee buzz Or in the air floating fuzz Weight feeling that I found Weigh circle which is round. Will wait to compare weight; Amount of weight in a trait Also weight of each prayer; Feelings that are hard to bare.
Horn Avatar
February 26, 2022 at 12:17 PM
we did weigh what we can; Length of time with a span Weigh what is a fair amount; Have learned how to count.
Peck Avatar
February 26, 2022 at 9:33 AM
So very lovely, Andrea. "perfection it would be to touch the sky..." I love it :)
Jayasankar Avatar
February 26, 2022 at 3:22 AM
Awesome sweet Ria... So lovely... A Fav... Hugs... ~ Ani
Krutsinger Avatar
February 25, 2022 at 8:09 PM
Ahh so poetically pleasing Andrea "With wings we could do so much more. As with arms, with two wings we also could enfold" Wow!
Legros Kelley Avatar
February 25, 2022 at 7:33 PM
Sweet, and arms can be so powerful, powerful enough to lift another's heart through loves embrace. You are an amazing poet, I am faving this. I must have a lot of your poems faved, it seems like I am always saying this to you!
Calasibetta Avatar
February 25, 2022 at 11:08 AM
Lovely write Andrea~you have made 'arms' as sacred as wings! Good luck in the contest~looks like a winner to me. :)Paulette
Kendrick Avatar
February 25, 2022 at 11:01 AM
Creative way to go with this one. I don't think the human body is capable in its present state to fly even if somehow, we sprouted wings. God is good in giving us the arms though for now. I enjoyed your visit to my page. Your presence was uplifting. Sara
Marcum Wong Avatar
February 25, 2022 at 10:52 AM
Andrea, I like the way you included the title in your poem. I did not do that in mind I just inferred. This should do well in the contest. Blessings xxoo
Watt Avatar
February 25, 2022 at 9:23 AM
I like how you emphasize the holding/hugging aspect of arms. The thought of adding wings takes it in a "flying dream" direction. Very lovely.
Hankins Avatar
February 25, 2022 at 8:42 AM
Andrea, this is incredibly good writing! I think you have a winner here. At least I hope so, for it deserves that recognition. I could not quite figure out how to approach the title, but you have done an exceptional job.
Y. Avatar
February 25, 2022 at 8:00 AM
WoW! Andrea, You have penned a well-written meaningful write on the contest theme. Great question in the second stanza. Best wishes in the contest. Have a nice day and weekend-Alexis
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