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Shamik's avatar

There's a lot to appreciate here. You show us how the word "flight" can be interpreted diversely. Each poem has its own strength and allure but what left me pondering wae Flight 93. The speaker/subject here is one of the terrorists who's contemplating the act he's about to commit. He analyses his life, looks around, and questions what led him there. Finally, he does something that any sane man would do, battles the brainwashing done to him

He feels a great sense of relief and beauty while remembering his love. The poem Flight is melodious and buoyant in nature. The rest of the collection is beautiful too, The Folly of Wisdom being one. I wasn't aware of Nadia Anjuman. Good that you provided a footnote.

Michael R. Burch's avatar

As I wrote the poem, in "Flight 93" one of the passengers is speaking. The passengers rushed the terrorists, and one of them has managed to grab the steering wheel and turn off the engines, so that the plane cannot hit its intended target, the White House. As the plane falls earthward, he is thinking of the woman he loves. But your interpretation is valid, based on what the poem says.

Shamik's avatar

Thanks for the reply. I absolutely didn't view the poem from your perspective but having learned and reread the poem, I can see your narrative fits the lines perfectly.

Michael R. Burch's avatar

Your interpretation is valid, based on what the poem says. I hadn't thought of that interpretation until your comment, but the poem can be read that way.

Martin Mc Carthy's avatar

There are so many good poems among these that perfectly illustrate a man, a poet, a spirit, taking flight. Perhaps this is the essence of poetry. Perhaps poetry gives wings to what is wondrous in us, and around us.

Oh, dreamlike winter butterfly:

a puff of white snow

cresting mountains

—Kakio Tomizawa, loose translation by Michael R. Burch

Michael R. Burch's avatar

Some of the greatest poets saw the human imagination in a sacred, or almost sacred, light. For instance, the Romantics and Wallace Stevens. I have long thought of Icarus as a metaphor for poets and other artists, with their flights of imagination.

Martin Mc Carthy's avatar

I tend to see poetry that way also. I have often felt that human beings possess two selves: the self that functions in the world, and the other self that soars sometimes among the angels. My most recent poem is actually called 'The Other You'. Well done on posting these fine poems!

Michael R. Burch's avatar

I like "The Other You" and look forward to seeing where you publish it.

Martin Mc Carthy's avatar

Well, it may fly far, but after that it will come to rest in it's true spiritual home, the HyperTexts. That was always the plan.

Michael R. Burch's avatar

THT will make a nice landing spot, when the time comes.