Monday, April 1, 2013

A Poem by Jason Sturner


Promise of an Eagle, to a Friend
for Rita Hartje

Sin & Confession

You’ve asked me to speak of eagles.
Of diurnal flight over moonlit valleys.
I was to offer you the brazen talon
of its faith, hope, and love. As a song.

But I lied when I said I could spring
this bird from my heart willingly.
I betrayed myself into thinking
I was the keeper of its valor. I am not.

In truth, it flies through me but doesn’t see me.
A ghost of old tears reflects from its eyes.
And though my soul is wretched and my ego has lied,
I long for your unconditional love. In dreams…

So many nights I’ve fallen asleep in your heart!
Awoken in the world your words have built.
I can’t kiss your angelic face, but I hear its soft music.
It sings that our distance is illusion. It’s not real.


Redemption

You’ve asked me to speak of eagles.
Of nocturnal flight over sunlit peaks.
To take your hand, guide you across clouds,
and illustrate the strength of God. I have. In you.

With faith, hope, and love under wing,
you have flown softly, quietly through me.
The embers of your saintly energy
raining down upon my soul. I weep.

Because you, my friend, are the eagle.
You see me.



Jason Sturner grew up in the concrete jungles of Illinois, where he has been a rock drummer, elevator operator, graphic designer, and botanist. His poems have appeared in such publications as Space and Time Magazine, Aoife's Kiss, A Prairie Journal, Liquid Imagination, Blind Man's Rainbow, and Sein und Werden, among others. He currently lives near the Great Smoky Mountains. Website: www.jasonsturner.blogspot.com

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