.
Desire
“Hold fast to dreams
for if dreams die
life is a broken-winged bird
that cannot fly.”
—Langston Hughes, ‘Dreams’
To have, to HOLD
what’s going FAST
in longing TO
capture my DREAMS,
I’m looking FOR
and wonder IF
I’ll find these DREAMS
before I DIE
For such is LIFE
sometimes it IS
a song of A
record BROKEN—
But I am WINGED
as though a BIRD
in a bough THAT
sings, “You CANNOT
forget to FLY.
.
.
Lucia Haase has several books of poetry published and was recently included in a poetry anthology titled Symphonies of the Wild Hearted available on Amazon.com. She also recently had poetry accepted by several publications including Haight Ashbury Literary Journal, The Long Islander, Nostalgia Press, The Raven’s Perch, and POEM publication. She lives in Spring Valley, Illinois.
Thank you, Lucia. I hadn’t previously come across this lovely way to compose, I suppose a variant on acrostic poems. You’ve done it beautifully and very expressively.
As much as I like this poem, I also like the idea and creativity. You’ve inspired me to try this form, Lucia. Thank you so much!
Yes, you’ve inspired me to try it, too.
Thanks! I look forward to reading your Golden Shovel
also.
Lucia
Thank you! I look forward to reading one of yours also.
Happy writing!
Lucia
Ditto Bruce, Shamik, and Joshua. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Thank you and you’re so welcome.
Lucia
Hi Bruce,
Thank you so much! I’ve only written one other of these
and I thought it might be time to try another one.
Appreciate your comments.
Lucia
These sorts of poetic games are found in medieval poets, and I know Christine de Pisan has several of different types. Don’t recall this particular one. You, Lucia, have made good sense, which is the major challenge. Excellent idea to split “broken” and “winged” into a contrast pair rather than one descriptive word; the decision helps you fly to an upbeat end.
Thank you so much Margaret! I was going to do both
verses. I still may do that. But it was inspired by one
I’ve read several times on the internet Terrance Hayes
wrote a Golden Shovel poem using lines from
Gwendolyn Brook’s poem ‘We Real Cool.’ It’s excellent.
And well, that poem by Gwendolyn Brooks…really struck
me the first time I read it. I love it and the Terrance Hayes
Golden Shovel poem is great.
Lucia,
Thank you for this introduction to this form of poetry. I look forward to trying it out. As Margaret said, your poem made sense. I hope I can accomplish that as well.
Gigi
Thank you Gigi. I look forward to reading yours.
Very well done, Lucia. Not only does it make sense, it’s also uplifting.
Thank you jd!
Lucia
How innovative and charming. Simply lovely! Thank you, Lucia.
… also, Evan’s choice of picture showcases the words perfectly. I love it!
I love to see experimentation and play with form as much as I love a well-executed standard form. I’d only seen this done with the first word or first letter in a line and not with the last word. The visual effect is a strong one. Better for the final word than the initial, I think.