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today i learned what geese talk about
when they fly,
when they fly,
when they fly away for the winter.
i said,
“no, it can’t be,
they have it all,
they have it all
all figured out.”
from the ground,
gazing up,
up – up – up,
their direction seems so true,
their flight is seems pure,
their lives lived with intention.
but now i know what they say
when migrating –
when migrating away.
it is not the view they are talking about.
not the horizon-line stretching forever.
it is not a life of freedom that they speak of.
rather:
“i need to keep moving –
if i stop i will start to think!”
“will i be attractive
when i get older?”
“i think i’m lovable,
but maybe i’m not.”
“am i integral to this company
or just kidding myself?”
“i pushed away another beautiful soul
and i made it look like their choice.”
from where i stood down on the earth,
without shoes,
with blades of grass between my toes,
i stood looking up,
shocked and amazed
as they sang these songs overhead.
how – how – how can it be?
but a part of me knew,
a part of me understood
that gilded arrows seen from afar
can only fly – fly – fly straight
for just so long.

Published by Jeremiah Ray

Jeremiah Ray is an interdisciplinary artist living and working in the coastal Maine region. He holds a BFA from Maine College of Art and an MFA from the School of the Art Institue of Chicago. Jeremiah works in various literary modes; however, poetry grants him a level of freedom that he has not yet found in other styles. His earlier poetic attempts were, as he attests, "far too drenched in metaphor, people would get turned off immediately." However, various life circumstances have allowed him to shed many of the layers which cloaked his previous compositions. His visual artwork is much like his life insofar as it is a constant journey of exploration and discovery. In his formative year, Jeremiah traveled extensively before undertaking any formal postsecondary education. Prior to studying art, which has been a lifelong love of his, Jeremiah initially explored music composition and performance, English and German language, and literature as potential majors. After completing his MFA, Jeremiah intended to pursue teaching. He desired to assist others in their quest to find and hone their unique language. He has always believed that art transcends oral communication and can significantly aid those seeking to express themselves nonverbally. In 2016 Jeremiah was diagnosed with advanced testicular cancer. This prompted his urgent relocation to Maine, which allowed him to be closer to his family during the months and eventually years of treatment that would follow. During the grueling months of treatment and the subsequent years managing the numerous physical and emotional side-effects from them, his work has continued to evolve, much as it has done his entire life. He has extensively documented his journey with cancer via his meticulously sustained blog (https://cyclical.life). Over the years, it has morphed into more philosophical musings on life rather than straightforward updates on his cancer journey.

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