poetry wednesday : i have no wings.

December 19, 2012 in General

“People turn to poetry in times of crisis because it comes closer than any other art form to addressing what cannot be said.” – W. S. Merwin

I Have No Wings

-Richard Shelton

but since I have feet I can walk
since I can walk I will arrive
and when I arrive the place will be there

if there are stairs I will climb
if there is water I will swim
if there are words I will speak

when I am desired I will be chosen
when I am chosen I will take my place
when no one else is near me I will be alone

a tired man carries only himself
a frightened man carries himself and his shadow
a vicious man carries the weight
of all he would harm

a loud voice is a stranger in any land
if there is silence let me guard it
a low voice rules its own country
if there is love let me hold it
a small room is enough to contain me
if there is hope let me give it a home

About Patti Digh

Patti Digh is an author, speaker, and educator who builds learning communities and gets to the heart of difficult topics. Her work over the last three decades has focused on diversity, inclusion, social justice, and living and working mindfully. She has developed diversity strategies and educational programming for major nonprofit and corporate organizations and has been a featured speaker at many national and international conferences.

1 comment to " poetry wednesday : i have no wings. "


Jodi Cohen

December 20, 2012 AT 3:20AM

there is this scene in ‘kramer vs kramer’ where dustin hoffman and mary steenburgen are sitting on a park bench, and it’s snowing and she’s says something that is vulnerable and he reaches over and tenderly puts his hand on her cheek and she leans into it. that is how i feel toward you, moo moo. my hand is softly on your cheek.