PoetryPix
depictions by the rule of thirds; descriptions mostly freestyle words
hubris
Escape was not enough.
When Icarus took flight
it was as a tumbling acrobat
lifts to the thrill. But even before earth
could claim him back, the waxen wings
touched thermals, and he was heedless as eagle.
A soaring, circling condor, then sky pilot
aerobatting each upward thrust
through Olympian clouds.
He did not see the gods. Only felt the heat
of angry breaths. Heard the fates singing
to the winds that tore at his wings
and tornadoed him down
to his drowning.
Still we humans carry that same hubris.
Head to the heavens as climbers,
pilots, paragliders, speed flyers
or base jump, skydive,
just to taste that Icarian freefall.
– Me, I take flight only in imagination
beachcomb for feathers from drowned seabirds
and wish on them for just such derring-do.
Written for the photo prompt #153 from the Sunday Muse
29 Comments on “hubris”
My Garden Blog
Lots of really great language and imagery here. Full points for “aerobatting!” The last line of “wish on them” for derring-do is a great way to bring the poem to earth, even if that is not what we wish for, LOL!
LikeLike
too right- I suppose in reality I wish I could fathom the lure of extreme sports and Icarus may have been the first
LikeLike
Right! That’s a great observation.
LikeLike
I love the progression this holds Laura; from Icarus to your beautiful thoughts. This is gorgeous poetry!!
LikeLike
thank you, Carrie – you choose the most evocative prompts!
LikeLike
love this! the words, the sense of flight, the risk–a breathless poem.
LikeLike
lovely feedback – thank you especially like the sense of breathlessness!
LikeLike
Once I went for paragliding in a beautiful Himalayan valley but couldn’t do it because we had to hurry back to our hotel to my dismay and my husband heaved a sigh of relief. I love how the image of the woman holding plumes took you to the Greek myth and the extreme sports of the modern world; “Icarian freefall” indeed.
LikeLike
amazing what flights our imagination can take – safer than what you had in mind. How daring!
LikeLike
Your poem is lovely, wishing on feathers is a wonderful concept … to be embraced like wishing on shells along the seashore.
LikeLike
many thanks Helen – wishing on feathers easier than stars!
LikeLike
Some gems here — aerobatting and tornadoing, for example. Well written!
LikeLike
Absolutely wonderful to read.
Thanks for dropping by to read mine Laura
(✿◠‿◠)
much love
LikeLike
thank you Gillena – and for the return visit
LikeLike
This poem took flight itself……….and I really enjoyed the closing lines.
LikeLike
many thanks Sherry – a down to earth ending!
LikeLike
The deities don’t want us getting too big for our britches. I like the tenuous connection you have with those who flew too high.
LikeLike
not at all – we are too puffed up with pride – which goeth before a fall, as the saying goes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love that ending Laura. Being grounded is also beautiful.
LikeLike
indeed Linda – it keeps us less dizzy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great language in this, Laura. The ending is just right.
LikeLike
thank you!
LikeLike
Oh, this wish for wings is in all of us even those of us who love to bird watch and gather feathers. Beautiful writing!
LikeLike
I love to watch the birds Susie but have no desire to don a wing suit! thanks for your appreciation
LikeLike
Hubris indeed, my dear Laura and I too prefer the wings of imagination! 😉
Superb poetry! xoxo
LikeLike
Greece has so much to tell us about humanity 😉 thank you, Marina xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank YOU, my dear Laura for a beautiful poem! xoxoxo
LikeLike
my muse was inspired by your myths 🙂 x
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 xoxo
LikeLike