Richard McDowell

Icarus Sat By Me Richard McDowell

The story of Icarus is often painted as tragedy, yet we have the power of flight, the idea of freedom and our hero mesmerized by the beauty of the Sun and all the potential in it. A man clings to nothing more tightly than a dream. Forgetting his father's warning until it is too late, his wax wings melt and Icarus falls from the sky only to drown in the sea. I've often thought what if that wasn't the end of the saga. What if Icarus had washed ashore? If he had survived the ordeal, perhaps we would meet in a café. I could learn from his mistakes, assured that all was not lost, seeing the possibilities that lie ahead. In this collection of poems, I hope to convey a sense of longing and to find meaning in second chances.