Poetry | Nature
Their Wings Whisper a Promise of Luck
The Flight of the Albatross
They go years without touching land and are said to be able to predict the weather. Sadly they’re among the world’s most endangered birds.
Many people consider the albatross to be unlucky. This comes from an incident where someone shot an albatross at sea. Sailors usually welcome the sight of them as they were often the first indication that land was drawing near.
The other sailors were so angry, they hung the dead bird around the unfortunate sailor’s neck. That gave rise to the phrase “it’s an albatross around your neck” when referring to an irritating burden.
The wind is silenced as the albatross glides through the mist in an endless slide, descending in the spiral of a minor key, circling through the shallows that rise in an arc. Their flight a geometry of faith.
A companion of warriors exiled from the skies, considered a harbinger of luck after a storm, as sailors murmur a ribbon of words to honor the souls of dead mariners.
If you enjoyed this poem, have a look at my book, We Swallow Light. It’s an exploration of events in a past life and a refreshing take on overcoming pain and the joy of finding love.
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