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When Air-borne Beings Fall

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As though my heart

was sand, absorbing

the dive of crows.

In the deep,

in the still deep ground

of dust & ruins, wings

fall like smashed shells

expanding into

the flowing air.

I would give my capsized house,

my bed, my favourite corner

just to feel the rise of their quickening tides

clap over my bones & spirit. To know the fury

of feathers skillfully slicing

the skin of clouds. I would say this

is worth my enemy’s claw, worth a mouth

full of laughter. I could speak again

of love without weight, of a saffron flower

exposing all to the sun.

 

I could take pictures in the garden.

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Copyright © 1995 by Allison Grayhurst

amazon.com/author/allisongrayhurst

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Published in “The Peregrine Muse” July 2017

https://sites.google.com/site/theperegrinemuseii/home/grayhurst

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First published in “Pawn Press”  1994

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You can listen to the poem by clicking below:

https://allisongrayhurst.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/when-air-borne-beings-fall.m4a?_=1

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“Somewhere Falling has a richness of imagery and an intensity of emotion rare in contemporary poetry. Drawn in sharp outlines of light and darkness, and rich shades of colour, with a deep sense of loss and longing and the possibility of salvation, this is an unusual book by a gifted young poet. Grayhurst’s voice is one to which we should continue to pay attention.” — Maggie Helwig, author of Apocalypse Jazz and Eating Glass.

“Responsibility and passion don’t often go together, especially in the work of a young poet. Allison Grayhurst combines them in audacious ways. Somewhere Falling is a grave, yet sensuous book.” – Mark Abley, author of Glasburyon and Blue Sand, Blue Moon.

“Biting into the clouds and bones of desire and devotion, love and grief, Allison Grayhurst basks the reader, with breathtaking eloquence, in an elixir of words. Like lace, the elegance is revealed by what isn’t said. This is stunning poetry.” – Angela Hryniuk, author of no visual scars.

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