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March Hare Magazine

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The Chance to Soar

Out of the blue, I grew wings. One minute they were not there, as I walked down the wide street, making my way to my office; the next moment I felt a weight drag my shoulders down. Turning my head, I could see a wide curve of white. 


Turning to the window of the shop to my left –– a charity store with its display of clothes and ornaments looking forlorn and hopeful –– I saw in its reflection two large wings.

All I could do was stare, open mouthed, at the glass-shadowed sight of myself standing there with two vast wings. 


I was unable to decide if I should try to fly –– spread those wings wide –– how wide might they be? –– and taste the high air–– or admit the possibility I had finally lost the last shred of my mind. 


After all, I had been under a great deal of stress: my marriage was disintegrating after my wife had told me she did not love me anymore (and was not entirely certain she ever had), and the business I worked for might be letting half of its staff go. I was beginning to suspect that I was being stared at, but I could not take my eyes from my reflection.


My delaying debate betrayed me –– indecision was one of the many faults my wife had levelled at me, in a long speech that she had clearly rehearsed, her eyes looking everywhere but at my face–– and as fast as they came my wings were gone. I saw them go in the reflection, the air seeming to shimmer – or the window rippling – as they disappeared. I even felt my body jump slightly as the weight passed.


I sighed and shook my head, my chance to soar gone. I turned from my reflection and the clothes and ornaments which looked more forlorn and less hopeful now, and made my way to my office –– while it was still my office ––  all too aware that such chances to soar rarely come ‘round again.

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Edward Lee's poetry, short stories, non-fiction and photography have been published in magazines in Ireland, England and America, including The Stinging Fly, Skylight 47, Acumen, The Blue Nib and Poetry Wales. He is currently working on a novel. He also makes musical noise under the names Ayahuasca Collective, Orson Carroll, Lego Figures Fighting, and Pale Blond Boy.

His blog/website can be found at https://edwardmlee.wordpress.com

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