Both of these poems are fabulous, and it is always a real treat to see Michael R. Burch’s work here. “I AM!” is especially phenomenal and is the one that I keep going back to. I’ve been sleeping on this wonderful poem for a long time, as I had never actually read it until very recently. It possesses (among other things) a most delightful musicality. I especially love the opening lines:
“I am not one of ten billion—I—
sunblackened Icarus, chary fly,
staring at God with a quizzical eye.
I am not one of ten billion, I.”
The legend of Icarus has resonated with me since I was a child, and I feel that “I AM!” and Mike’s other Icarus-themed poems do the story great justice and are in keeping with a timeless tradition. Bravo, Mike!
I AM is wonderful1
Both of these poems are fabulous, and it is always a real treat to see Michael R. Burch’s work here. “I AM!” is especially phenomenal and is the one that I keep going back to. I’ve been sleeping on this wonderful poem for a long time, as I had never actually read it until very recently. It possesses (among other things) a most delightful musicality. I especially love the opening lines:
“I am not one of ten billion—I—
sunblackened Icarus, chary fly,
staring at God with a quizzical eye.
I am not one of ten billion, I.”
The legend of Icarus has resonated with me since I was a child, and I feel that “I AM!” and Mike’s other Icarus-themed poems do the story great justice and are in keeping with a timeless tradition. Bravo, Mike!