slip-sliding away…..

If I were a bird,
majestic and free,
I’d roam the currents.
No one, but me.

Going where I like,
beauty all around.
Exploring this vast expanse,
far above the geographically-constrained ground.

Backgrounds of blue and white,
my natural home.
Away through the clouds,
drifting like a poem.

From rooftops to window sills,
trees and mountains high,
there’d be nowhere I couldn’t go,
just spread my wings and fly.

The world beneath me,
not a care to pull me down,
over and under,
wandering all around.

The humans – they envy me,
limited by their two feet,
but I don’t pay them much mind,
happiness my seat.

I wish they could experience
the solitude and bliss,
freewheeling, diving, dodging through the mist.

From up here,
the world is calm,
no screaming, fights, or pain.
Just crisp, clean air,
sometimes, the occasional plane.

While you toil and labour,
struggling to find a smile,
I invite you,
dear human,
to join me once in a while.

For up here
you’ll see
life from a different angle:
where time moves slowly,
both outside and within,
you’re more free to reflect and ponder,
let inner peace begin.

And when you return
to life on the ground,
I hope you’ll take with you
precious treasure that you’ve found:

The ability to disconnect,
get away from it all.
Sail smoothly through life’s waters,
never fearing a fall.

Ups and downs will come,
and despair may pound on the door of your mind,
but just remember –
please remember –
the escape you can find.

Come back,
if only for a few moments,
to life as a bird,
and anchor your heart
in solitude
way above this cold world.

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Date written: June 2019

Background:

Going through the contents of the book, I’ve found that a lot of my poetry centres around escapism: getting away from the burdens of everyday life and simply being free, even though it lasts only for short periods. It makes sense, then, that many of the pieces have been inspired by my favourite getaway: a secluded rooftop I’ve frequented for over a decade now.

I wrote this particular piece a few months ago, on that very rooftop – taking specific inspiration from the freedom that the birds have. I always felt that, if I could choose to be an animal, I’d be an eagle. It’s the combination of solitude and utter freedom that draws me to that particular choice. And so, this piece sort of explores that line of thought.

This piece is also fairly unique because I think it’s only the second poem ever where I’ve deliberately tried to rhyme (the first being “Ballad of a Workday Morning”). My pieces are usually free-flow – without attempt to capture any aesthetic elegance in how they read. And as such, I kind of feel that this is a somewhat amateur attempt.

But, hopefully, it still puts across a message, and has some kind of positive impact on you.

Let me know what you think.

Image source

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