Radiolaria
Imagine you’re a girl with ten-mile stilts
And the wind picks up, the fire spreads,
The ground is glistening.
It’s easier to burn than to build.
So live inside your shades of grey.
The ashes just look pretty on your eyes.
Are you aware of the mess you left behind?
It burns like poison in the pill.
It’s not a silly little moment;
It’s a sign
Like endless rain inside a paper cup.
It’s healing bang, bang, bang!
There’s no time for a warning.
Throw your soul through every open door—
A game called remembering your name.
You’re just a growing beautiful someone.
Source & Method
Pandora playlist, October 2011
1. “Ten Mile Stilts” by The Wailin’ Jennys on 40 Days, 2004
2. “Grapevine Fires” by Death Cab for Cutie on Narrow Stairs, 2008
3. “Sycamore Down” by Jaymay on Autumn Fallin’, 2007
4. “I Won’t” by Colbie Caillet on Breakthrough, 2009
5. “All Good Things” by The Weepies on Hideaway, 2008
6. “Orbiting” by Deb Talan on A Bird Flies Out, 2004
7. “Left Behind” by Zero 7 on The Garden, 2006
8. “Turn Out the Lights” by The New Amsterdams on Story Like a Scar, 2006
9. “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room” by John Mayer on Continuum, 2006
10. “Such Great Heights” by Iron & Wine on Around the Well, 2009
11. “Across the Universe” by Rufus Wainwright on I Am Sam soundtrack, 2002
12. “You’re the Storm” by The Cardigans on Long Before Daylight, 2004
13. “Disappear” by The Gabe Dixon Band on The Gabe Dixon Band, 2008
14. “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele on 21, 2011
15. “Steer” by Missy Higgins on A Clear Night, 2007
16. “It’s Amazing” by Mandy Smith on One Moment More, 2004
Cherie Hunter Day’s poems have appeared in a variety of publications including: Mid-American Review, Mississippi Review, Moon City Review, Quarter After Eight, and Wigleaf. Her most recent collection is for Want (2017) Ornithopter Press.
Photo by Wesley Tingey on Unsplash