Icarus - Patricia Barber

Intent, a wooden lattice is placed

feathers are waxed and laced

reeds are stockpiled, patiently cast

and curved, each longer than the last

it is a perfect design, a boldfaced

attempt to fly

Back off the boardwalk, at the Midtown

dressed in chiffon, dressed in her best gown

an angel black as the color of her hair

begins to sing and play and dare

to form a perfect design, a boldfaced

attempt to fly

falling out of the middle

the air begins to thin

from light into darkness

into the light again

gravity conspiring

with the forces of drag

so nose up and farewell

to those who lag

and who didn’t blow the whistle

took calculated risks

who didn’t push the river

who didn’t use their fists

who didn’t go to great lengths

nor to great heights

you’re up in the air now

Divine

Moonshine drunk, you’re smug as the Sun

larger than life, baby you’re the one

with wings, rising over the wall

falling out of the middle, away from us all

it was a perfect design

a boldfaced attempt to fly