Of Wax and Feathers

Daedelus talked
of wax and feathers
and the importance
of flexibility
in the frame

His drawings were
hurried things
scribbles
to depend your life on
so much confusing
detail
in those
hastily written pages

Feathers and wax
leather straps
and the right wind
he always said

Shielding his eyes
from the glare
he'd stare out
across the water

'The sun,'
he said once
near the end
'The sun will be
a problem'

and Icarus
with his tan
and perfect teeth
would just smile
and attach another
feather.

Don McGonigal
November 2004