~ You Were Made an Eagle ~

[Helen O'Reilly]

~ You Were Made an Eagle ~


Why are you downcast, my soul?
Why do you lament and cry?
Put on the wings of the faithful,
And soar swiftly to the sky.

Go! Fly above the clouds!
Leave your troubles behind!
Sing! Praise God out loud!
Till you find peace of mind!

With wings outstretched,
Wind your way towards the sun.
As there’s no clouds in sight,
See how bright it shines.

You were made an eagle by grace.
Ride the winds, spread your wings, spread!
You’re meant to fly to highest places.
For you’re not from the world, He said.


By: Helen O'Reilly

[Pope of Eruke]

No offense, some might like this, but for me personally it is incredibly cliched, and I found it very boring.

That's just my opinion though!

[Helen O'Reilly]

Hi Pope, thank you very much for taking time reading and commenting. I took it from Psalm 42: 5 & 11. I really hope you can give me some suggestions to make it better. I'm still learning and experimenting. I'm eager to learn.

[Pope of Eruke]

Hi Pope, thank you very much for taking time reading and commenting. I took it from Psalm 42: 5 & 11. I really hope you can give me some suggestions to make it better. I'm still learning and experimenting. I'm eager to learn.

I have no suggestions to give! Haha, I am a reader, not a writer for the most part. I can just tell if you I liked it.

I get the feeling that our tastes are not remotely similar, I don't really like this type of poem, so I wouldn't be in a position to give suggestions anyway.

[Helen O'Reilly]

it's ok Pope. I do hope somebody will.

[cacian]

I have no suggestions to give! Haha, I am a reader, not a writer for the most part. I can just tell if you I liked it.

I get the feeling that our tastes are not remotely similar, I don't really like this type of poem, so I wouldn't be in a position to give suggestions anyway.

what type of poems do you like?

[cacian]

it's ok Pope. I do hope somebody will.

this is very religious.
what is the symbol of the eagle?
I like the way it is written/
I like the tone and the voice and interjection.
there is a feeling of free with the idea of flying.

I am not sure about the last line
''For you’re not from the world, He said.''
what do you mean by this?

also when you say:
''you were made an eagle''

that does mean YOU was something else??

[Pope of Eruke]

what type of poems do you like?

Well for starters I am not religious, so that's the main thing about this. I also find motivational poems/quotes/things like that to incredibly bland, unrealistic and lacking in substance. Just my opinion, we all like different things, and I'm a bit of a cynic.

As for the poetry that I like, I don't read that much poetry. I enjoy some of the romantics, like Byron, Shelley and particularly Blake. Howvever I love the poetry of Rimbaud, as well Baudelaire and some other 'symbolists', I quite enjoy modernist poetry too, mostly Eliot and post-modernist 'beat' poetry, mainly Ginsberg. I quite like free verse, or even just poems that don't have a rigid rhyme scheme.

[cacian]

Well for starters I am not religious, so that's the main thing about this. I also find motivational poems/quotes/things like that to incredibly bland, unrealistic and lacking in substance. Just my opinion, we all like different things, and I'm a bit of a cynic.

As for the poetry that I like, I don't read that much poetry. I enjoy some of the romantics, like Byron, Shelley and particularly Blake. Howvever I love the poetry of Rimbaud, as well Baudelaire and some other 'symbolists', I quite enjoy modernist poetry too, mostly Eliot and post-modernist 'beat' poetry, mainly Ginsberg. I quite like free verse, or even just poems that don't have a rigid rhyme scheme.

I understand.
Shelly is religious he believes in the divine.

[Pope of Eruke]

I understand.
Shelly is religious he believes in the divine.

What sort of poetry do you like?

[cacian]

What sort of poetry do you like?

I like light hearted funny poetry. I like to smile when I read and preferably where I do not have to think about why and if.
I don't like heavy long narrative lamented poetry. I find it boring. religious poetry I do not like either.
the bible is enough.
:)

[Pope of Eruke]

I like light hearted funny poetry. I like to smile when I read and preferably where I do not have to think about why and if.
I don't like heavy long narrative lamented poetry. I find it boring. religious poetry I do not like either.
the bible is enough.
:)

Here is a Rimbaud poem I like, it's light-hearted, though not funny. You might like it.

Feelings by Arthur Rimbaud

(translated by Paul Schmidt)

On a blue summer night I will go through the fields
Through the overgrown paths, in the soft scented air;
I will feel the new grass cool and sharp on my feet,
I will let the wind blow softly through my hair.
I will not say a word, I will not think a thing,
But an infinite love will set my heart awhirl,
And I will wander far, like a wild vagabond,
Throughout Nature— happy as if I had a girl.

[Pumpkin337]

1. When criticised consider the source of criticism - there are some on this forum who like very crude and vulgar stuff and consider it art.

2. Only let criticism affect what you write if it rings true with you in some way.

3. Write what is in your heart, and if you writing for your pleasure, don't listen to criticism except where you can see how it would improve what you have written.

Having said all that - I like this. Its simple, and effective. The only thing is that I'm not sure about is how well it reflects how you personally feel. It feels more like an exercise in writing than something that flowed from your heart. You say you aren't religious and yet you took it from the Psalms - was there something in those Psalms that particularly spoke to you? If there was, then let that flow. Express yourself :)

[Pope of Eruke]

1. When criticised consider the source of criticism - there are some on this forum who like very crude and vulgar stuff and consider it art.

2. Only let criticism affect what you write if it rings true with you in some way.

3. Write what is in your heart, and if you writing for your pleasure, don't listen to criticism except where you can see how it would improve what you have written.

Having said all that - I like this. Its simple, and effective. The only thing is that I'm not sure about is how well it reflects how you personally feel. It feels more like an exercise in writing than something that flowed from your heart. You say you aren't religious and yet you took it from the Psalms - was there something in those Psalms that particularly spoke to you? If there was, then let that flow. Express yourself :)

Is this supposed to be some sort of a jibe at me? Even if it not, it's pretty ridiculous, as if you can judge who can give criticism/opinion or not, or whose is valid or not.

[cacian]

Here is a Rimbaud poem I like, it's light-hearted, though not funny. You might like it.

Feelings by Arthur Rimbaud

(translated by Paul Schmidt)

On a blue summer night I will go through the fields
Through the overgrown paths, in the soft scented air;
I will feel the new grass cool and sharp on my feet,
I will let the wind blow softly through my hair.
I will not say a word, I will not think a thing,
But an infinite love will set my heart awhirl,
And I will wander far, like a wild vagabond,
Throughout Nature— happy as if I had a girl.

nice indeed thank you for posting.
tow thing
I have always find the word vagabond rather pensive when incorporated in the English, I believe it is French but not so sure.
the last line I do not understand,
why not a boy is what I mean :)

[Pope of Eruke]

nice indeed thank you for posting.
tow thing
I have always find the word vagabond rather pensive when incorporated in the English, I believe it is French but not so sure.
the last line I do not understand,
why not a boy is what I mean :)

Ah I see, I didn't know you were a girl (or a woman).

[cacian]

Ah I see, I didn't know you were a girl (or a woman).

but does not the last line refers to the writer wishing he had a girl as in a child?

Throughout Nature— happy as if I had a girl.

that is how I understood it. :)

[Pope of Eruke]

but does not the last line refers to the writer wishing he had a girl as in a child?

Throughout Nature— happy as if I had a girl.

that is how I understood it. :)

Noooo, well I suppose it's interesting that you take that interpretation, there is no right or wrong I guess. However, judging by Rimbaud's age when he wrote it, I took it to me a pretty girlfriend. So he is wandering through nature, and feels content, as happy as if he had a girlfriend.

Sorry for stealing the OPs thread though.

[Calidore]

Is this supposed to be some sort of a jibe at me? Even if it not, it's pretty ridiculous, as if you can judge who can give criticism/opinion or not, or whose is valid or not.

Looking at the entire line, I'd guess she's talking about Wolf.

Not sure why you'd take offense at the bolded part anyway, as it's a simple, neutral statement. And isn't that what every artist (or consumer of art) needs to do re. critics, namely, consider whether that critic's own tastes makes the criticism compatible with the reader?

[Pope of Eruke]

Looking at the entire line, I'd guess she's talking about Wolf.

Not sure why you'd take offense at the bolded part anyway, as it's a simple, neutral statement. And isn't that what every artist (or consumer of art) needs to do re. critics, namely, consider whether that critic's own tastes makes the criticism compatible with the reader?

I didn't take offense, just thought it sounded a bit ridiculous. When you word it like you just did, it sounds better.

Wolf is ok, just a bit crazy from what I have seen.

[Pumpkin337]

Take my statement anyway you wish - but it was a neutral statement - there are a few (not just one) on this forum whose tastes in poetry would not jib with the kind of poem this is. Calidor got it right - if a person offering critique has a wildly differing point of view from yours on what they like / want to read / consider good then their critique needs to be taken with a pinch of salt in light of your work.

It's like a person who hates Shakespeare commenting on how well written a sonnet is ... at least some of the critique is going to have be taken from whence it comes because a certain bias is going to come through in the opinion.

[Helen O'Reilly]

Thank you all for posting your comments here. As I told you before, I took the theme of the poem from Psalm 42 : 5, reading like this,


Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.

and from Isaiah 42: 31:

Isaiah 40:31
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Like King David in the Bible, we, at one time or another, feel very low, but if we remember what we can be if we put our hope in God, we shall be strong again.

[cacian]

Thank you all for posting your comments here. As I told you before, I took the theme of the poem from Psalm 42 : 5, reading like this,


Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.

and from Isaiah 42: 31:

Isaiah 40:31
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Like King David in the Bible, we, at one time or another, feel very low, but if we remember what we can be if we put our hope in God, we shall be strong again.

I would say there is too much hope and not enough gods. but there you go :)

[tailor STATELY]

Beautiful poem. I found your original post btb.

I'm continuing a study of Psalms at this time; and coincidently, our Sunday School lesson yesterday was on King David and his transgression (2Samual: https://www.lds.org/manual/old-testament-gospel-doctrine-teachers-manual/lesson-24-create-in-me-a-clean-heart?lang=eng and subsequent lament in Psalm 51. Being a singer in my home choir I mark my scriptures every time I read that we're asked to sing in devotion or the protagonist does. I often have a hymn or choir song in my heart and mind in praise; here's what's been on my mind for some time: http://www.defordmusic.com/sheet-music/alphabetical-list/the-resurrection-and-the-life/, and a song our choir sings from Psalm 24 that I use as a walking "march" song. Isaiah is also dear to me. Scriptures are an excellent source of poetics and inspiration.

Thank you for posting. Look forward to reading some of your new poetry and seeing how your poetic "voice" has grown.

Ta ! (short for tarradiddle),
tailor STATELY

[Helen O'Reilly]

WOW! how beautiful! I really wish I could write like that. and could write a song too. Thanks for sharing your song, my friend. It blessed me a lot. And also thank you for reading this poem. May God bless you abundantly.