Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


HAD I THE WINGS by JAMES OPPENHEIM

First Line: AH, HAD I THE WINGS NOW
Last Line: AND SOAR IN THE HEAVENS, SUN-BATHED.

AH, HAD I the wings now,
Wings of the mounting condor to clear the clouds,
Clear the heavy clouds and soar to the day-dying sun,
To the sun, beyond these streets,
To the sun, beyond this lash of the winter rains...

But the day lags, binding me:
The day lags and my pent-up heart beats at its bars,
At its prison-bars beats, captive and dark.
Ah, had I the fire now, had I the joy now, had I the wings now
To clear the clouds of my rain-swept soul,
And soar in the heavens, sun-bathed.



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