Naked

Barbara Fairhead

I want to live my life in that fierce flame that lights the eagle’s stare.

Open my heart to the wild-cat’s scream.

Fall to the dark earth like a star.

Offer all that I am to the cutting flint of crucifixion.

I want to run naked as desire over dark hills

and drown in starry nights of wonder.

I want to breathe this splendid rage

—into my blood—

—into my bones—

into the haunting seas of memory.

I want to swim the slow thinking of fish

—and feel the world stream through me—

its huge unstoppable tides.

I want to walk beneath the raging branches of the storm

—hear the rattle of bones lost to the wind—

I want to cleave the sky like a hawk’s wing

and blow away

like dust—

or ash—

or forgetting.

I want to live at the cutting edge of myself

—with the presence of grinning death perched upon my shoulder—

—whispering—

—always whispering—

I want to learn his dark song.

I want to sing it to the wind.

I want to walk on water.

Featured on 25 November 2021