This post concerns itself with imagination and a touch of nostalgia.
Our imagination shines with a glittering intensity during early childhood, no doubt about it. I am regularly watching my granddaughter delve into her strong imaginary world. It is wonderful to watch her create worlds and characters with much delight.
When I was a small child, I recall relishing the thought of being able to fly like a bird, glide like a butterfly and soar above the ground. I imagined being invisible. I envied those creatures who could walk across the ceiling in the manner of a housefly, a gecko, or a spider. I was in awe of their ability to stick to walk up walls and stick to the ceiling. I would sometimes lie on my back and imagine walking across the ceiling.
So, this poem, 'A Flight Of Fancy' is a salute to those far off days of vivid imagination and all the rich thoughts swelling around that time in my life. What were your weird and wonderful imaginings as a child? Do you recall some of your playful and fantastic ideas from those earlier times.
Maybe, just maybe, there's a poem inside you, ready to be made...
The version of the poem featured here first appeared in one of my writer's notebooks. Coming across it recently prompted me to create this Poetry Friday post.
A Flight of Fancy
I looked up at the sky
And immediately decided
It was time for me to fly
And promptly closed my eyes
And slowly, oh so slowly
I just began to rise
Like eagle’s wings
Up and down
In gentle swings
The houses tall
The local park
The shopping mall
Rose over hilltops tall
I skimmed across the lowlands
And heard the river’s call
Before descending on the lawn
A rather gentle landing
In the misty air of dawn.
©Alan j
Wright
It's Poetry Friday and this week, our host is Catherine Flynn from Reading To The Core. Catherine has written an 'abecedarian' poem reflecting upon the ABCs of Teaching. She uses this form to organize her reflections about all she's learned about teaching children over the past 27 years. Catherine's poem lands as the American academic year draws to a close, following another tumultuous year for educators all around the world.
Love that line, "the river's call..." I've been relaxing along a river and it's so beautiful...it holds a life all of it's own separate from people and dares me to try to capture it. Beautiful poem.
ReplyDeleteThe sight and sound of water is generally a calmative, Linda. Glad you enjoyed my little flight of fancy.
DeleteI wrote about granddaughters who are changing, Alan, remembering all their play time of imagining, too. I, too, remember imagining flying. I sat often in a tree, reading, thinking, & the flying came from wanting to be a bird! I enjoyed your 'journey' flying over all your places, favorites? And especially love that opening stanza.
ReplyDeleteWe are yet again in synch, Linda! Trees were a great vantage point to viewing the world and imagining, no doubt about it. Pleased that you found connections in my poem. And, yes , my flight did include a few favourite places.
DeleteAlan, This is a wonderful poem! Capturing the imagination of childhood is a tonic that should be bottled and given to all adults! I remember marveling at my boys' imaginations. One had an imaginary friend, another was always good at inventing, and the third drew imaginary towns and churches (he's now an artist). Creativity needs to be cultivated in our young and so often it's not. Thank you for opening a whole new world of prompts for me!
DeleteThank you for your thoughtful response, Carol. You capture some significant manifestations of childhood imagination in your recollections. Recollections that further prompt my own thoughts. I thoroughly agree with you regarding the fostering of creative thinking. So important.
DeleteAlan, my above comment is from Carol a https://theapplesinmyorchard.com/2022/06/24/poetry-friday-a-new-chapter/ I sometimes have difficulty with blogger accepting my wordpress URL. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks Carol, That's all a bit frustrating, so I thank you for your 'stickability.'
DeleteYour poem takes us on a journey in this flight through your imagination! How delightful that you're getting to witness your granddaughter's flights of imagination as well.
ReplyDeleteThank you Elisabeth. I am indeed most fortunate to be sitting in the front row as my most engaging granddaughter waltzes through her many worlds.
DeleteMy childhood imagination kept me more rooted to the ground -- I longed to be a horse! That would be a whole different poem!!
ReplyDeleteRun wild, run free, Mary Lee. Your poem would cover a whole different experience, no doubt, but what fun...
DeleteLike Mary Lee, I never imagined flying, but I was constantly climbing trees, so I guess I was longing for a bird's-eye view. I love the way your poem takes us all around the neighborhood, then "down the valley" and into the wider world.
ReplyDeleteTrees elevated us, providing a wonderful perspective on the world below. My poem was a journey above and beyond. I am also a lover of trees and your comments strike a chord. Maybe, I could 'branch' out...
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