October 6, 2019

The Chance to Soar by Edward Lee

Seemingly out of the blue
I grew wings.
One minute they weren't there,
the next I felt 
a heavy weight
drag my shoulders down;
with inquiring fingers 
I felt feathers,
and a secondhand shop window reflection
confirmed two wings rising above 
and behind me,
white as blank paper.

All I could do was stare,
open mouthed,
unable to decide if I should try to fly,
spread those wings wide
and taste the high air,
or admit
the possibility
I had finally lost
the last shred 
of my mind.

My delaying debate betrayed me,
and as fast as they came
my wings were gone,
the weight on my shoulders no more.

I sighed, shook my head,
uncomfortably aware that such changes
and chances 
rarely come round again.








Edward Lee's poetry, short stories, non-fiction and photography have been published in magazines in Ireland, England and America, including The Stinging Fly, Skylight 47, Acumen and Smiths Knoll.  His debut poetry collection "Playing Poohsticks On Ha'Penny Bridge" was published in 2010. He is currently working towards a second collection.  He also makes musical noise under the names Ayahuasca Collective, Lewis Milne, Orson Carroll, Blinded Architect, Lego Figures Fighting, and Pale Blond Boy.
His blog/website can be found at https://edwardmlee.wordpress.com

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