GRASPING FOR FLAMING FEATHERS

My mind seeks
to set the words on fire,
but the pen's dark, wet ink
douses the flames,
leaving lines of gray,
smoldering ash,

and my heart laughs
at the silly thought
that written words
can capture emotion,
can cage vision,
like tame birds,

for we all know,
the souls of
birds and poets
soar ever beyond.

December 27, 1992