Learning To Fly


from the ABC set Poems

Her willowy shape stirred with grace...
arms extended to writher like snake...
quivering in her white nightgown -

learning to endure discomfort and pain,
so light on her feet – moving on toes...
but the beauty still resides within...
she glides away on musics silent whisper,

closing her eyes for just a second,
she is flying – the audience no longer
exists...like a smokey fading memory,

the music leads her on in the dance,
lifting her spirits to another level,
tears form in her brown eyes...
leaping and spinning she waits for
her beloved, arms outstretched...

like a silhouette his shadowy
figure dances – moving furtively,
climbing like a feline ready to pounce,

as from their beds the children rise...
to see this somewhat tattered form -
from out the shadows he did glide,
he stood with mischief by there bedside,

big hairy one in corner sleeps...
not stirring not even a peep -
the candles quiver to the sweetest
sounds of Chopin's Nocturnes...
the pianist glides over the keys,
playing softly...enveloping the
audience into sheer bliss...

then over to bedroom window
they tiptoe...so light on their feet,
not even a whisper – this scrawny
boy all dressed in green – gestures
with hand to come run and escape,
touch lips with finger tips...
as Nana stirs...a light sprinkling
of dust...the window opens... a
ball of light takes flight...

holding hands...they climb upon
the windowsill – then through the
starry night they will be free to fly,

a cheer goes up...the audience
entranced...the stage is set as
they learn to fly to the dance.

Discuss this piece in the abctales forum


Comments

melisma | September 7, 2011 - 17:34

I have not seen this performed live, but this sounds just like what I envision!

skinner_jennifer | September 7, 2011 - 17:55

Thankyou so much for reading melisma and for your
lovely comment.

I really do appreciate it.

Jenny.

sue dinum | September 7, 2011 - 17:59

This is beautiful, Jenny, so many lovely lines and images. Everything you produce now has a touch of quality, and I take my hat off to you. I am also envious of your continuing improvement

Very well done, js.

sue

MaggieG | September 7, 2011 - 18:52

Now see..

I could Peter Pan flying around. before you even mentioned him specifically. I really do think you would make a wonderful children's writer :)

Highhat | September 8, 2011 - 05:53

I love the story of Peter Pan. I liked this a lot Jenny- well done. Yes it is a wonderful children's tale- so atmospheric and fairy tale like with a bit of culture for the kids in Chopin's music.

;)Pia

L G Meadows | September 8, 2011 - 07:00

I was entranced by this poem. Beautiful writing!

skinner_jennifer | September 8, 2011 - 07:30

Thankyou so much sue, I'm so glad you enjoyed it,
your great comment is an inspiration to me.

Thankyou again.

Jenny.

skinner_jennifer | September 8, 2011 - 07:34

Hi MaggieG,

thankyou so much for reading, glad you
could guess the story within this ballet.

Your comment is much appreciated, thankyou again.

Jenny.

skinner_jennifer | September 8, 2011 - 07:37

Hello Pia,

you are so right about Peter Pan, the story is one
of my favourites and I thought Chopin's Nocturnes
just seem to go so well with the story.

Thankyou for reading and letting me know you enjoyed
reading.

Jenny.

skinner_jennifer | September 8, 2011 - 07:39

Hello Cherry pickers,

I was over the moon when I saw the cherries on this
piece this morning, it's amazing how uplifting
those cherries can be.

A million thanks for making my day.

Thankyou.

Jenny.

skinner_jennifer | September 8, 2011 - 07:43

Hi L G Meadows,

what a lovely thing to say, 'entranced' is such a
fine word, yes I really do appreciate how you
read this story.

Thankyou for reading and letting me know, always
appreciated.

Jenny.

Silver Spun Sand | September 8, 2011 - 07:50

And those cherries were so well-deserved, Jenny. This is a gem, and it really sparkles;-)

Tina

skinner_jennifer | September 8, 2011 - 08:13

Hi Tina,

glad you enjoyed this piece and thankyou so much
for letting me know.

Hope your day sparkles with magic.

Jenny.

Cavalcaderl | September 8, 2011 - 08:29

new Skinner-jennifer
Hi! Jenny,
Brilliant may I say.
I was so enlifted and almost in
a trance. when I read this amazing,
poem of images colour's and the poem writer's
you, way of doing it. I was entranced myself.
all the best.
and the cherries!
keep well in this flooding, rainwash puddle duck weather. We have battled out shopping, and visiting,
both of us. Umbrellas broken all for the sake of a box of roses chocs;
julie xx

skinner_jennifer | September 8, 2011 - 09:11

Hi julie,

really nice to hear you liked this poem.

You know I have been very lucky with the weather,
I managed to get all my washing dry yesterday, we
never had any rain at all, I was also able to go
to the shops and still no rain.

I hope you have finally managed to get dry and that
hopefully you see some sun your way.

Thankyou for letting me know you enjoyed reading.
It's really good to hear from you, take care.

Jenny.xx

seashore | September 8, 2011 - 10:11

What a lovely visual piece, Jenny - I could see all of it.

skinner_jennifer | September 8, 2011 - 10:30

Hello coral,

I'm so glad you could visualize the scene in this
piece, thankyou so much for reading and letting
me know.

Hope you're having a sunny day.

Jenny.

Cavalcaderl | September 8, 2011 - 15:09

new Skinner-jennifer lETTER
Hi! jenny,Well it was a bad start,
as I am year older, Tuesday was no wiser but after all happening,things altered post two with money, wow! and mine coughed up, surprise cracker seemed empty, but wrapped money round it. As god would say, I certainly was well blessed,no card church,always did. We got got drowned,bought all homemade apart sausages to fry, chicken legs done.etc.go round and more,tokk some things in our dear friend in the wheelchair friend from music group
and me, and mine saw, shopped puddle 10ft wide.
And six daughter and hubby, all came within 48 hours.
Then found birthday long one tesco written on,and re-
celebrated some in the group, and sang happy birthday.We had pecan tart, strawberry, custard pies, meringues, salad, mine made gorgeous sponge cream in. Lovely gifts. Mine paid me for ticket Oct:
now for "Judy Garland" show coming up. Then we have London The Wheatsheaf should be there? One of pals,
not stopping but asked in, bit to much wine? had a patiessere box, jokes! about thopught cream pastry,
small teddy, then a Barmbrack cake, not heard of.Hnad creams. Cameo top and money Butterfly dress,
liked daughter and hubby so sent off now.Butterfly bag and socks too small.
So as god made little fishes go round, so did our food spread great day. Daughter phoned started sing,
but cut off signal went off area. Just off out cloudy! New shoes, and jumpers, one bit small.
Lovely to see friends and other's enjoy with me.And percussion at music and sang to me, made my 2nd day?
I was cheery! mad, but butterflies colour's beautiful, and we had a good laugh, must been wine three certain price a bottles. I wasn't going mention anything, but suddenly treated long term work friend of his (mine) cream tea not heard long while, all came to-gether suddenly. Especially as bit bad post funding had row, all ok. Wow.
Hope your well. I 1st thought of Narnia on your poem
as seen film, but was amazing way you told it.
Now Jazz "Green Eyes" just come in my neighbour's my favourite loving tender funny cat. And photo him time and time again. AbcTales issue 23 poem OMG.
Thanks.
julie xx

skinner_jennifer | September 8, 2011 - 15:42

Hello julie,

well if you're a year older, then I shall sing:-

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR JULIE,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU.

Wow! it sounds like you've been having a good
time, especially with all that food, drink and
music.

I hope you enjoy the Judy Garland show, I really
loved Judy, she was a wonderful actress and had
an amazing voice.

I'm fine and guess what? the sun's come out, it's
almost like a summers evening, I shall have to go
out and sit in the garden in a minute, enjoy it
while it's here.

Well you have a peaceful evening.

Jenny.

skinner_jennifer | September 9, 2011 - 08:02

Dear julie,

I think your poems are wonderful and they are an
expression of who you are, which to me says you
are such a happy go lucky type of person, that is
such a rare thing these days, you should be proud
of yourself.

Keep smiling and don't worry about your writing,
we are all different and you have so much to give
in your writing, I'm sure of that.

Take care,

Jenny.

skinner_jennifer | September 9, 2011 - 08:04

Hi Richard,

I'm really glad you could get something out of this
poem, it's a real treat when someone leaves such a
kind comment.

Thankyou.

Jenny.

Cavalcaderl | September 9, 2011 - 17:09

new Skinner-jennifer
Wow! what lovely comment from
someone like you jenny, so talented.
Well I have achieved so much, only from
the mighty one and his healing touch!
14 years nothing absolutely. Before one day going nearest church,I was a wreck! another story, can't be told. One imagines marriage and a baby could be a bed of roses,certainly not,have cross all the bridges
specially ones that brake or broken, and all the things can do, now and done for me?
Even now on AbcTales get involved, even if not right,
and read other's and listen great therapy, and help from all, as our Editor t.cook alway's said and keep going. I first hated ? no. But friend brought 3 bunches flowers last night, has a car, mentioned it to me told me, actually tears are still welling up!
Because I didn't know. And I do all these things whatever, without him. meeting me half way, out at snooker now, and bowls good exercise. What never does his for heart. Not saying anymore. Like he has
mind of ice, suppose some are like that, can't face up to many things, we have go through. True 10 years
younger than me, but one must have connections, or the train won't work. Had so much to contend with
more than the average person, needn't have been.
What's that song, tears are all youv'e left me.
Now I'm going backwards. Alway's someone somewhere worse off. Not safe world like when I was a little girl. No one jenny knows people's lives? we can only say yes, no,sorry and be there and listen. Hold their
hands at the end who say you love them.
Ice-cream van gone whizzing by, only plays bit "one Cornetto". Cheer up! You have empathy in you so much,
and Tina, and Beeme, I can read it. Glad you got washing out. Fence blown down next door.
Have a good week-end.
julie xx
I never know what he is going to say, how to take it

MistakenMagic | September 9, 2011 - 21:12

Mesmerising, Jenny. Absolutely enchanting! Well done on the cherry :)

Magic xxx

skinner_jennifer | September 10, 2011 - 10:13

Hello Magic,

I'm so pleased you saw the enchantment in this
poem.

I think it's one of those stories that every child
should read, because it takes you away to another
enchanted world.

Thankyou for reading and letting me know.

Jenny.xxx

Cavalcaderl | September 10, 2011 - 10:48

new Skinner-jennifer
Wow! Many thanks, I can hear you singing. Happy Birthday. xxx Thankyou.
Well I believe there, won't be another
Judy Garland it's a Tracey Bennett don't know.
And there'll never be brilliant Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. Read the book it's sad happy and amazing. OMG voices no not in my head,mine gone door,
and daughter's friend worked with her one of six, that had to go, xmas but paid well. Not same as a job after over 2o years plus service. With massive bunch of Lilies, Daffodils and Gladiolis, can't smell look bootiful. They both do my garden I can't bend that low! High seat buses now have. My goodness all I try to do be there for those may need, phone, or chat! or say the wrong thing I do. One friend sent money in two envelopes not Sealed, got to me. Listening to him, lost his brother in his 80's now. and said. On pnor cos you talked with me, helped when
he lost long time brother, use to visit us for years' too.
Used have a card played happy birthday, never stopped. Hope you caught the sun! yes, I was ever so lucky and blessed. Daughter and son-in law, problems
with health, what they have just take each day as comes. But it's only in re-mission state, this moment. I belive mosquitoes caused abroad then. yes half a wine bit of cheese, headache, so she topped up, with lemonade. Those that shared and spread with me, some didn't know, so pleased to do so. Barry played guitar from day centre, made my day. Well I am well over 60 plus,plus hence not always getting the poems same way as some can read into them. What have you been doing.
Well shame friend called just disclosed, daught; problem driving, we didn't know. She doesn't like to upset or worry us. But have a book on it? and two on
both sides family, not mean't to be heriditary?
Just eating cream meringue gorgeous.
Loved talking to you, not typed months.
Well I do agree you have climbed the ladder so quickly, with your poems. And I feel sometimes I can't compete new writer's coming on. What's a metaphor. I do wish do you, if anything is put in a language one can, put Next line in English, so I know
what talking of. Like No No Lita= "This is my prayer", it mean. Thye could all write English of words underneath each line be great, answer back, like hello! how are you. Good morning in there language too.
think spelt right. Or maybe say hello! good morning,
how are you, we can answer them back? too.
all the best
julie xxx

fatboy74 | September 13, 2011 - 08:43

I think what blighters say about joy rings true for me also - I am naturally drawn to the melancholy, but found this uplifting - well deserved cherries jenny. :-)

skinner_jennifer | September 13, 2011 - 09:34

Hi there FB,

having adored the story of Peter Pan, from a very
young age and also being a fan of ballet, I felt
I couldn't let this one go, just had to bring it
to life in words.

I'm sure that even children today love this story,
even though it's so old.

It makes me very happy, to know you were uplifted
by reading this piece and all worth the while of
writing it.

Thankyou so much for reading and for letting me
know, also for your congratulations on the cherries,
it was a great boost for me.

Hope you're having a good Tuesday.

Jenny.