Saturday, June 5, 2010

Taking Flight



We try so hard to bind the universe
To hold it in our hands, and squeeze it dry.
We have to be the one, the best, the first.
We need the world to know that we can fly.

To hunger after knowledge is a gift.
The search for truth is part of who we are.
But when we think we find a bit, we lift
Our foolish, human pride, too high, too far.

For all the vastness built in time and space
Must overwhelm these creatures here below,
Who fight and plan and theorize and place
Their own importance in the search to know.

And just like Icarus, we start to fall,
And find we are mere mortals, after all.

16 comments:

Gemma Wiseman said...

A great poem for us mere mere mortals! Egos and being a daredevil can be deceiving charcater traits!

Ramesh Sood said...

Very well written.. mortals we may be, yet renewal is possible.. if we fall once.. learning is what is essential..

anthonynorth said...

So very true. You encapsulate us here.

anthonynorth said...

In light of your comment on my blog, my Icarus poem is on the previous post to that you commented on. I do a weekly magazine post, so I'm well ahead with OSI.
Sorry about the confusion.

Sherri B. said...

The ego is always what does us in...great take on the prompt!

SandyCarlson said...

We so need that reminder! Just thinking of the Gulf....

shraddha said...

ego kills us all..

good one.

Pam said...

Well written. I found the rhymes subtle and the rhythm propelled the poem along.

spiritsoflena said...

Great sonnet! I enjoyed reading your take on the prompt.

Jim said...

Carina, I like your sonnet. It flows so nicely. Yes, we are all mere mortals (after all).

Thank you for stopping at my OSI sonnet. You have a nice poetry blog here. Your poems are all written so well.
..

Tumblewords: said...

Excellent reminder to those who fly high.

Harshad Mehta said...

'To hold it in our hands, and squeeze it dry.'

Cause of fall.

gautami tripathy said...

All of us ought to remember this..

help me rewrite Greek tragedies

Also, please do hop on the Monday Poetry Train

Anonymous said...

Well said... an excellent reminder for each one of us, as we pursue our goals.

one more believer said...

mortality is so flighty yet so binding.... death comes eventually to all

Elisha said...

You've been writing some excellent pieces! These are truly very good.