The Girl who Flies
Robin Macklepenny


I remembered a secret, the other day...
something I've told to no one.

It has to do with the way I hold my breath--
(if I do it right, I don't even have to breathe, I just live) --
Then I step forward, but my foot never touches the ground...
It just sort of glides, and I glide with it. 

I try not to do it much, in case anyone notices.
I don't want them to be angry with me.
I don't want them to know I can fly,
because they can't, and people destroy what they can't take.

And I need to fly, so desperately, above treetops and houses,
and cares and worries and...
...so I never really flew much, anymore. 
Someone might notice.

And now that I'm wiser, I let them see me,
as I slide, gliding forward until I soar,
and they say, "Look there at that girl, she's flying!"
and some say, "Let's shoot her down from the sky, it's not fair she can fly."

But I trust, with all the love in my heart,
that there are more people who say,
"No, let her be.  Let her soar.  Let her live, because this is who she was born to be..."
The girl who flies.

That's beautiful, Robin. Touching, evocative and expressive. It has almost timeless qualities of yearning, eagerness and hope. A return to innocence. To live for the sheer pleasure of living.

I really, really like it.

Thank you, Sephira... That means a lot to me. 

You have my respect.  All they get out of me is dirty limericks. And gibberish, lots of gibberish! 

Hugs, Devlyn

I don't know how you did it in so few words, but:

"I try not to do it much, in case anyone notices.
I don't want them to be angry with me.
I don't want them to know I can fly,
because they can't, and people destroy what they can't take"

captures EVERYTHING I think and feel around my coworkers............kudos to you!! The best I can come up with is expletive laden these days. I've lost my sparkle, my artistic bent :/

Thank you, Devlyn. 

And thank you, Kelsie... That is the first poem I've written since I came out to myself... It was inspired by these forums, particularly one on dreams.  It brought back memories, and my heart filled, and, well, I had to pour it out; it was leaking out of my eyes. 

I suspect that you, like I was, are just waiting for the tipping point.  It'll come back, girl!  And hopefully in an unending gush, unlike my occasional outbursts. 

*hugs*. I'm so glad you gals liked it!  *happy dance*

This poem is absolutely beautiful. As I read through it, I could see the girl who flies

I know we don't know one another Robin, but keep flying. Don't let anyone shoot you down

Quote from: Robin Mack on October 29, 2013, 09:08:36 PM
Thank you, Devlyn. 

And thank you, Kelsie... That is the first poem I've written since I came out to myself... It was inspired by these forums, particularly one on dreams.  It brought back memories, and my heart filled, and, well, I had to pour it out; it was leaking out of my eyes. 

I suspect that you, like I was, are just waiting for the tipping point.  It'll come back, girl!  And hopefully in an unending gush, unlike my occasional outbursts. 

*hugs*. I'm so glad you gals liked it!  *happy dance*

Thanx sweetie! I think you might be right....I'm just hampered right now because I usually write poems in the form or lyrics and I can't play guitar right now - I broke my wrist learning to skate for derby, lol!!! If it wasn't so sad it would have me in hysterics

Love it. Your verses sing. Now get back to flying! -Maddie

Thank you Robin,

I could feel your words lifting me gently over the tree tops.

Yes, wonderfully evocative.

Quote from: KelsieJ on November 04, 2013, 10:34:57 PM
Thanx sweetie! I think you might be right....I'm just hampered right now because I usually write poems in the form or lyrics and I can't play guitar right now - I broke my wrist learning to skate for derby, lol!!! If it wasn't so sad it would have me in hysterics

Oh no!  At least it was broken for a good cause... I *love* roller derby.  If I ever can pass well enough... oh, who am I kidding, I lack the coordination.   Still, at 6'4", 180 lbs, I'd be a force to be reckoned with....

I'm looking forward to reading your stuff when you're feeling better! 

Quote from: Tessa James on November 05, 2013, 12:08:21 AM
Thank you Robin,

I could feel your words lifting me gently over the tree tops.

Yes, wonderfully evocative.

Thank you, Tessa.   I was so grateful to be a conduit for this poem. 

Quote from: MadelineB on November 04, 2013, 11:52:21 PM
Love it. Your verses sing. Now get back to flying! -Maddie

Sorry I missed this before, Maddie... thank you so much!  I'm still working on remembering how to fly... but sometimes, in my dreams, it comes back to me, and most every day I feel a little closer.  *hug*

Robin, amazing fails miserably to describe how incredible this poem is! What I love most about it is that it's so relatable, it gives form to emotions many find difficult to describe.

Simply put, I am in awe of you girl! 

Aww... *blush*  Thank you so much, Shaina.  I'm not certain I could do it again, if that helps... it was almost like the poem was being written through me.  I could barely see the monitor through the tears.

*hug*

I'm just hoping that it is helpful to some people, like it was to me.  I shared it with my therapist, who has requested that I submit it, when it's ready, to an LGBTQ suicide prevention group here in town.  And I'm hopeful about a collaboration to turn it into a children's book.