Watch Me Fly Away
My adoration was expansive,
smiling for attention; a gauntlet thrown.
I saw you that time when I was a balloon
trapped by the solid ceiling, holding my flight in check.
Finally, I deflated.
***
Here you are again, not even present,
but your voice is clear - "You are not to be valued.”
I remain an unworthy victim of your selfish love,
gifted and re-gifted until the thoughts became ingrained.
***
Today, I’m sad – I can feel your flinty stare glaring from my eyes,
trying to spark fires from cold ash.
Maybe I’m grieving for a life that never was real.
***
But the Phoenix will fly,
healing the world with its tears.
***
I’ve preened my feathers.
***
About the Creator
KJ Aartila
A writer of words in northern WI with a small family and a large menagerie.
My Substack
Enjoyed the story? Support the Creator.
Subscribe for free to receive all their stories in your feed. You could also pledge your support or give them a one-off tip, letting them know you appreciate their work.
Keep reading
More stories from KJ Aartila and writers in Poets and other communities.
I First Saw Him
When I first saw him sitting on the wall, relaxed and looking out over the water, I was sure he wasn't a local. Not including children, there are only about 250 or 300 of us in this area full-time, though that number is ten-fold in the summer, and I know everyone at least by sight or by family resemblance. And yet, the way he sat looked familiar and started my mind sorting and discarding among the families I knew, not quite like this one, not quite like that one.
By Natalie Wilkinson7 days ago in Fiction
Comments (8)
Remember the phoenix gets reborn from its ashes. Always. Never fear, those preened feathers are just waiting for rebirth.
Lovely verse and poignant thanks for sharing.
Gorgeous imagery here KJ! Brilliantly done!
Lovely! We only ever accrue it to give it away. The sun burns without knowledge of itself, whereas those that drink its light believe themselves their own animators. Irony abounds!
The phoenix would definitely fly! Sending you lots of love and hugs! ❤️
Beautiful, from captured/deflating balloon to preening/healing phoenix. I'm hearing shades of Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats" in this (though it sounds more like dismissal & neglect than cheating, but still....).
Magnificently written!!! Love it!!! Sending positive vibes & virtual hugs!!!💕❤️❤️
Heartfelt and powerful. Hope you are okay!