HEARD / WORD is a new audio series highlighting compelling voices in poetry and prose. This week, author, actress, and poet
Venus Jones reads “Fly,” a piece inspired by the African American spiritual and freedom song “I’ll Fly Away.”

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“He who would learn to fly one day must first learn to stand and walk and run and climb and dance;
one cannot fly into flying.” - Friedrich Nietzsche

Fly

By Venus Jones

You are protected from the moon and the sun.
When flying by night, you see no one.
You glide on a cool breeze through the clouds above trees.
When there is a change in weather,
the air is your friend, and the wind is your guide.
You are true beauty — soar with pride!
They want to capture your spirit.
Heed these words, fear it.
Look to the hills for strength and move.
Flee.
Break into motion.
Spread your wings and travel.
You’re free.
Rotate in the storm.
Seek shelter amongst the fleet when it’s too warm.
Rest in between flights, or lag like those without direction.
There are sights unseen, beyond the green mountains, and that blue stream.
Beyond the sky.
You must want to live and not die!
So fly towards the horizon.
Fly away.
Fly from fear, corruption, destruction, and decay.
You with the faith of a bumblebee.
He who denies gravity!
Let no earthly ground hold thee!
Fly.
Fly.
Fly.
Spread your wings and fly!
Create your own destiny, and fly into infinity.
But right now, you must evolve with me in the darkness. 
You choose to see.
That this cocoon comforts thee, but tomorrow you’re going to fly.
Free.