Inspired by AWD13, “Earth,” and JPL13
(Un)tethered
He is weightless, untethered
to the Earth he sees rising in blue
before him
white cloud swirl-figures dance across
home
where moonglade silvered the grey-green sea,
but brighter were the beacon lights
that once glowed high and low
as birds on beach and in the sky
warned off intruders
with star-echoed songs–
in space, he thinks he hears them now,
star-birds, like him, so far from home.
I am once again participating in Paul Brookes’ April Ekphrastic Challenge. Each day, I will post my poem(s) here. You can see the art and read the other responses by going to Paul’s site here.
The artists are Gaynor Kane, John Phandal Law, and Anjum Wasim Dar. Thank you for your wonderful and inspiring art!
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
This poem shimmers with imagery: “white cloud swirl-figures dance” and “moonglade silvered the grey-green sea.” Thank you, Merril!
Thank you so much, Marian!
A wonderful response, Merril!
Thanks so much, Ingrid.
Reblogged this on The Wombwell Rainbow.
Thank you, Paul.
You have done well with this set
Thank you very much, Derrick.
Lovely! A Star Man poem 🙂
Thank you! It’s so funny, but I didn’t connect them when I wrote it.
I just wrote to Liz that I had recently seen a new photo the Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield shared of Earth rising–and he did a version of Space Oddity from the International Space Station, so perhaps somewhere in my subconscious. . .or I knew you’d mention it. 😏
or you just accept (like I do) that David Bowie IS the man in space.
Yes, that, too. 😊
Echoes of Major Tom–only better. The last two lines are so poignant!
Better than Major Tom? ??
I don’t think so, but thank you so much, Liz! 💙 It’s funny. I love Major Tom, and Jane mentioned it, too, but I wasn’t even thinking of the him/the song.
You’re wecome, Merril. Your mind must have been seeing different imagery.
💫
Also, I’m sure you’ve seen this, but if not–I love Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield’s version that he did on the International Space Station–and recently I saw a photo he shared on Facebook of Earth rising, so maybe it was in the back of my mind. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaOC9danxNo
I hadn’t seen the video before. I just watched it. Very powerful.
I’m glad I shared it then! I really love it.
🙂
Star birds…I love that. Thinking of David Bowie here too. (K)
Thank you very much, Kerfe. 💫
So glad you were inspired by Chris Hadfield – he is so cool, isn’t he?
This poem is wonderful!!
Thank you!
Yes, he is. Ever since that video came out years ago, I’ve been a little bit of a fan girl. I follow him on FB.
I love it!
Thank you so much!
🙂