I Sing

By DJ

There is no air under my wings
But I sing to the sky
Praying 5 times
And I never ask god why
I had friends and family
But time ended

There is no air under my wings
But I sing
I sing
I give a ring to a woman who was in need of a king
To me she was like a beautiful thing
Time ended it

And yet I sing

I sing

Tagged with , , ,

64 Comments

  1. stillplacemd on March 16, 2020 at 11:03 AM

    DJ,
    Thank you for your powerful poem. There is a very old song called “How Can I Keep from Singing?” Your poem reminds me of that. That song says, “In prison cell and dungeon vile, our thoughts to them are winging,
    when friends by shame are undefiled, How can I keep from singing?” I hope you keep singing and keep writing poetry.

  2. Gianna on March 16, 2020 at 1:44 PM

    DJ,

    This a beautiful poem! I can feel your passion and hope just by the words you write. Thank you for sharing! This was such a unique poem and I really enjoyed it. Please continue to write, be hopeful and full of love!

  3. Anne Manuel on March 17, 2020 at 9:36 AM

    DJ: Your resilience is an inspiration. You’ve suffered terrible loss, but you still sing. This is a great reminder to me as I struggle with life’s ups and downs. Keep singing!

  4. Cheyanne on March 17, 2020 at 12:16 PM

    This is a beautiful piece. While reading it, I got a feeling of unwavering hope and a feeling of freedom. Although things came to an end, the singing continues showing the hope that prevails at the end of the day.

  5. Naana McBrown on March 18, 2020 at 12:41 AM

    Dj, i loved this poem so much and it brought tears to my eyes. I can relate with your last couple lines, where you express how time ended what you had with a woman. I currently have someone very special to me incarcerated, and it feels as if his time is separating us, but remember to remain positive and know that what is for you will always come back. Again, loved this poem and your metaphors were amazing.

    -Naana

  6. Jen Deslattes on March 18, 2020 at 2:35 PM

    Your poem brings hope for anyone who reads it under any circumstance. “I sing” is a beautiful way to say “I am still going, I am not giving up no matter what, or simply…”I am”. That is truly powerful. I really enjoyed your poem. Thank you for writing it.

  7. Hannah on March 18, 2020 at 4:21 PM

    DJ–
    Your poem is truly moving and inspiring. It is sad to read about the things that you had that time ended, but it is so inspiring that you are still able to sing, no matter what. I believe that you will have air under your wings once again. Make sure to continue to write and share your voice. Thank you for your poem!
    Hannah

  8. Kathleen S. Flowers on March 20, 2020 at 8:05 AM

    wow, very powerful. I feel your despair and regret, and yet I see the hope.

  9. Homa on March 21, 2020 at 7:29 PM

    DJ,

    Wow, great poem. I love that while things might have ended in your life, your determination to go on did not. Keep on writing and expressing everything you feel and want.

  10. Jordyn Salmon on March 21, 2020 at 7:38 PM

    DJ,

    The hope and sense of creativity that you keep through hardship is clear to see. My hope is that you are able to maintain your hope and never stop singing!

  11. Jack on March 21, 2020 at 8:13 PM

    I think everyone should learn to sing because with all of the negativity and pain going on in our world the power of music can always be used to brighten up someones life. Stay Strong and Keep Singing

  12. Gisselle Hernandez on March 25, 2020 at 3:33 PM

    Reading this was awesome. I like the way you were able to express some feelings towards this poem. It sounded so great. I could never write poems as good as you!

  13. Jane Stevens on March 25, 2020 at 5:44 PM

    Dear DJ,
    Wow! And yet you sing…I hear hope and faith in your poetry.
    All my best, Jane

  14. Sandra Miller on March 25, 2020 at 6:45 PM

    Dear DJ, thank you for this poem. It is quite extraordinary and moving. I am struck by the fact that you still sing, and I want to encourage that. Whether you know it or not, other people are also singing your song and hoping that you will feel the air beneath your wings again. Please keep writing this wonderful poetry.

  15. Coughlin / Johnson Family on March 25, 2020 at 8:56 PM

    Keep singing and keep writing poetry! I really admire your search to find something positive, and your words are moving and inspiring.

  16. Lynne Heneson on March 26, 2020 at 9:10 AM

    A wonderful poem about the resilience of the human spirit! And I just love the rhymes. “There is no air under my wings” is such a beautiful image and sets up the entire poem. Your courage is obvious. Keep writing! Best, Lynne

  17. jones on March 26, 2020 at 1:33 PM

    Nice Poem keep up the good work Enjoy reading!! Blessing to you

  18. Elizabeth Diaz on March 26, 2020 at 6:33 PM

    I really enjoyed reading your short poem. My interpretation is that even when you felt defeated and that there was nothing else left for you to give, you still remained hopeful. Your faith keeps you “singing,” even after one chapter of your life closes. I think this is an excellent poem of maintaining a smile on your face even when the good things come to an end because everything happens for a reason.

  19. Maria on March 27, 2020 at 12:26 PM

    DJ, I feel like this poem is stuck in my head, like song lyrics! I sing…I sing. It’s really powerful. I think you have an incredible knack for making someone feel both sad and hopeful with your words…which is kind of like living life through your poems. It’s sad and it’s hopeful, at the same time. Thank you so much for sharing this with me. I’m going to be thinking “I sing…I sing!” all day now. 🙂

  20. Nick Rice on March 27, 2020 at 1:33 PM

    I like the underlying message you are trying to convey through this poem. I especially like the first line. Wings are meant to be free and flying around in the warm calming air, but having no wind underneath shows the pain and that trapped feeling. I also like how you are able to put emotion into how time ended what goals could’ve been accomplished. I like how the overall tone of the poem is not of regret but of hope. A hope that there is still time in the end. Overall I really enjoyed this poem.

  21. moiragriffith on March 27, 2020 at 5:11 PM

    Hi DJ,

    As I was scrolling through the poems on this blog for the first time, your poem caught my eye. The image of you continuing to sing despite every hardship you’ve faced evokes an overwhelming sense of hope and resilience. Right now in our world, there is so much uncertainty, fear, sadness, grief. And yet, as you say, we must still sing. We must still cling on to some hope and joy. Thanks for sharing your words.

  22. eirini on March 28, 2020 at 8:26 AM

    I think this poem can be interpreted in many ways and has a lot of meaning. It has such a beautiful and powerful message, encouraging the reader there is hope and giving up is not an option; in my opinion, the poem is about always looking for the bright side, no matter what, because life goes on anyway. You can spend it singing, moving past the dark stages of it and try being happy or being trapped in the shadows of the past. And also that you have the power over what you feel, and you are the one who chooses wether you feel hopeful or helpless.
    I loved everything about the poem! Keep writing ?

  23. Syd on March 30, 2020 at 2:25 PM

    Hey DJ,

    I think you have a beautiful voice. This poem was so beautiful. It’s important, no matter what happens, to keep singing and share your voice. Thank you for sharing yours with mine.

    Keep writing,

    Syd

  24. Emily on March 30, 2020 at 8:21 PM

    DJ, this poem is deafening in it’s quiet reflection. I can hear the words lift off the page as I read, much like the song you sing; the song that we all have the lungs and heart to project into the stratosphere. You have captured the essence of human spirit, unbroken, unwavering even through the toughest of times. External love from others will always be conditional – those conditions can be fidelity, trust, empathy even life itself. But the capacity for love lies within all of us, the individual inside, no-one else. This love is unconditional and boundless. Tap into this and you will never walk alone. Thank you for sharing.
    Emily

  25. Troy on March 30, 2020 at 8:30 PM

    DJ,

    This poem screams the idea of “counting your blessings.” The way you portray how, though you feel you are at a low point in your life right now (hence, “no air under my wings”), the world is still your oyster and nothing will knock you all the way down. The hope you convey through these words is truly inspiring in a way that, though things may feel tough, there is always something to look back (or even ahead) on and be thankful for. Rather than “asking god why,” you choose to sing. I honestly believe this poem gets better and better the more times you read it as it not only tells one person’s story but it also gives the reader something to internalize themselves. This has two effects as it not only motivates the reader to “sing” themselves but it also emphasizes the notion to not take any of their own blessings for granted. The repetition of the phrase “I sing” despite the hardships in your life are awe-inspiring and give me a warm feeling that not many poems have ever given me.

    Keep up the great work and never stop singing!

  26. Fateema Farzana on April 1, 2020 at 12:35 PM

    DJ, this is such a powerful poem and I even more appreciate your optimism. At times, all we can do is pray and keep our hopes up. And we will always get through our struggle.

  27. Fateema Farzana on April 1, 2020 at 12:42 PM

    DJ, your poem is so powerful and I appreciate even more the optimism you have in you. At times, all we can do is keep our hopes up and pray. Because no matter what, we always get through anything.

  28. Tyler Hallowell on April 1, 2020 at 2:54 PM

    To me this poem is very powerful and representative of the person you have become. Despite being dealt the hand in which you were given, or having “no air under [your] wings,” you still continue to push forward with acknowledgement of the things that you may have lost. You continue to “sing,” looking forward rather than back, continuing in life rather than falling victim to possible past mistakes. I am not sure if “time” is a play on words, for it can mean both time itself as well as your sentence. If it is, this is definitely my favorite part of your piece; The introduction of time ending mirrors the idea that while time itself can change things, a jail sentence can bring a similar–or even heightened levels of–change. I feel that anyone can learn something from reading this poem: No matter the mistakes one may make, a great deal of accepting and forgiving oneself is to look forward rather than looking back–to look towards what they can do better the next time, rather than what they have failed to do in the past. Thank you for sharing this piece, DJ.

    • Tyler Hallowell on April 1, 2020 at 3:02 PM

      And DJ, I apologize if I wrongfully assumed the meaning of anything that you have written. My perspective is only from the outside, and it is in my hopes that my ideas related to those of your own. Stay strong and continue on your path to good.

      With hopes to a better tomorrow -Tyler

  29. Jordann Allen on April 1, 2020 at 3:57 PM

    Thank you for sharing such a powerful poem DJ, it reminds me a lot of Caged Bird and Still I rise by the late Maya Angelou. You should be commended for your resilience that inspire us all!

  30. Lynette Tapia on April 2, 2020 at 1:09 AM

    The concept of singing that you incorporate throughout this poem is powerful in both the literal and metaphorical sense. In my opinion, to sing is to be free. There is no better feeling than to unapologetically belt out a song with rhythms and lyrics that make your heart dance. However, another amazing aspect about music is that it is timeless. In your poem, you discuss friendships and relationship that ended throughout the course of your life, yet you were still able to sing. For me, this means that you were still able to move forward in life due to the consistency of singing, and its ability to heal a wounded heart. This is a universal message that many people can apply to their own lives. Everyone has felt the feeling of having no air under one’s wings- low, defeated, and despair- and having to find a reason to persevere. This poem perfectly speaks to that feeling, and offers encouragement to keep flighting the fight. For these reasons, I strongly enjoyed your poem and truly resonated with it. Great work.

  31. Callie Craig on April 2, 2020 at 7:27 PM

    DJ – I see that you put a lot of emotion within this one poem and it truly shows just how some may feel in your position. The poem really shows poetry in its greatest form and it is truly a blessing to be able to read your poetry. Keep it up and I can not wait to read more!

  32. Xenia de Luna on April 3, 2020 at 10:43 PM

    This poem is beautiful, thank you for showing us this sensitive side of yours.
    It is truly amazing how despite tough losses, you remained strong and kept on singing.
    You don’t mourn over your disappointments, you try to find a way out and that is inspiring to me!

  33. Christina on April 6, 2020 at 8:28 AM

    Dear DJ,
    Your poem is very emotional. I can feel the pain in your tone but also the hopefulness as well. Keep singing. Keep writing. Great poem.

  34. Sam Allen on April 6, 2020 at 9:27 PM

    This is really great. I truly admire strength and resilience. I can already tell that singing has done amazing things for you beyond just being an output. I hope you continue to express your emotions through your writing and your voice.

  35. Chris Johnson on April 9, 2020 at 10:18 AM

    This is really well-written. Life is all about pushing through the hurt and making the best out of any situation. Out of all the poems here, I think this one is one of my favorites. It feels like this was written out of pure emotion.

  36. hosway on April 13, 2020 at 9:26 AM

    DJ, I enjoyed reading your poem due to how real it seems compared to living in the real world. Your poem conveyed the message of having hope even when everything that is important to you is removed from your life. I like how your poem made me realize that in those times that is when hope is most necessary.

  37. Hayley Punjabi on April 13, 2020 at 11:21 AM

    Hi DJ,

    I really enjoyed reading this poem. To me “singing” represents persisting throughout life despite its never-ending difficulties. You are brave to keep singing and giving yourself to the world despite having no “air under your wings”, or motivation to do it anymore. I relate to this poem, because I think singing is a very daring act– people hear your entire voice, you can’t avoid the parts of yourself you are embarrassed or ashamed of. When I finally get the courage to sing, I always feel a release of something that has been pent up. Do you feel this way when you sing too? Thanks for sharing this, it inspired me to sing more.

  38. Donovan on April 14, 2020 at 3:37 PM

    I liked your poem a lot. It reminded of life and how difficult it can be to face hardships. At the same time your poem invoked a sense of hope and perseverance in the face of adversity and moving forward. Thanks for sharing DJ. Donovan

  39. Jayla Brown on April 18, 2020 at 6:47 PM

    This poem shows proves that even when things are going against you, keep going. Even though there is no air under your wings, you still sing your praises. Even when things have ended, you sing. Sometimes that one little piece of normalcy can help us go through life. Being able to maintain a part of yourself even when torn down, shows how strong you are.

  40. Ryan on April 19, 2020 at 12:25 PM

    Love the use of rhyming! It was very catchy

  41. Molly Reed on April 19, 2020 at 5:57 PM

    Hi DJ,
    Thank you for sharing your poem with us. You convey hope and determination to keep going even when times are tough. I can see that you are resilient. Repeating the line “I sing” reminds me of the saying “fall down 7 times, get up 8.” I hope you continue to write and I wish you all the best.
    MR

  42. kingclaire13 on April 21, 2020 at 4:34 PM

    DJ,
    I love your spirit of persistence and hope. The words “time ended” are so heavy and full of emotion. But you keep your eyes up and keep moving forward. Thank you for reminding me that things in my life may come to an end, but my life can continue. Your writing is powerful and can inspire that hope in others. Thank you for sharing.

  43. Tiona Lancaster on April 22, 2020 at 1:56 AM

    This poem speaks of perseverance and the need to keep going on even when life doesn’t always go as planned. This is a very relatable concept, and I thank you for bringing it to life. Keep it up!

  44. Sammy on April 23, 2020 at 2:29 PM

    Hi! I really love this poem. It shows how when times are tough, you can find other ways to shine light and promote positivity. I also love how personal it is. It is sometimes challenging to put our emotions on paper. It is also challenging to find that ounce of positivity sometimes and I think you did a great job

  45. Lauren on May 1, 2020 at 11:59 AM

    DJ, this poem truly highlights aspects of resiliency. I really enjoyed reading this poem and you are incredibly talented. I hope to be able to read more pieces by you in the future.

  46. Ray Ryan on May 10, 2020 at 3:51 AM

    I hope you keep singing. Not long ago there was a woman whose king I thought I had become and would be once I gave her a ring. It ended before I could and she knew I wanted to. Not exactly the same thing but you’r poetry is touching and inspiring and implore you to sing!!! It’s hard to hear any time things are dark but things can always get better.

  47. Christine T. on May 14, 2020 at 2:14 AM

    Dear DJ,

    I really loved the themes of perseverance and hope in the poem that you wrote. Even though it is clear you have been through a lot of hardship in your life you are still practicing radical acceptance and trying to see the positives in every situation. This is evident when you talk about still singing despite all the bad experiences you have been through. Your positivity and hopefulness for the future is honestly a perspective that we should all try to emulate in our daily lives.

    Thank you for sharing!

    Best,
    Christine T.

  48. Chris on June 19, 2020 at 10:59 AM

    Thank you for this poem.
    It really evoked emotion, both sadness and hope.

  49. Clifford on November 20, 2020 at 5:23 PM

    Great piece! Keep up the good work.

  50. Serina on January 21, 2021 at 8:23 PM

    DJ,

    I really like how optimistic this poem is! Even though time ends all things, you keep singing. It is inspiring! It reminds me of a quote from the movie The Outsiders “Nothing gold can stay”. I like how it takes my emotions back and forth from sad to hopeful. I like how you opened up to show yourself a little and what you’ve been through. Great read, keep up the good work!

    Thanks,

    Serina

  51. Jenny on April 13, 2021 at 6:44 PM

    DJ, I really enjoyed this poem and the message it brings about staying resilient and positive no matter what and to remember the reasons or why you’re doing the things you’re doing.

  52. Daniela on April 13, 2021 at 6:44 PM

    DJ,
    This was a beautiful poem. It was very hopeful. No matter the hardships you have experienced, you will persevere and get through it all. Thank you for allowing others to read!

  53. Anna on April 13, 2021 at 6:45 PM

    DJ, This was such a potent poem that delivered so much in the small amount of words written. Your poem gave me the perspective of someone who stays resilient despite hardships and their circumstances, thank you for that.

  54. Maria Mione on April 15, 2021 at 4:21 PM

    I love this positivity. This poem really feels like a hopeful optimistic writing.

  55. Grace Denno on May 3, 2021 at 11:33 PM

    I am a student in a community service course at Wayne State in Detroit whose goal is to engage with the community beyond the university. When I discovered Free Minds I was immediately thrilled to see the connections build around your writings and heart, and what you have to offer is a powerful and beautiful gift to the community. It was a true privilege getting the opportunity to read what is on your heart and mind, your desires and passions, thoughts, and struggles. You have so much to say, so much wisdom to give, and such deep experiences and desires to share with the community that people from all walks of life, backgrounds, beliefs, and ages can deeply connect with and affiliate with. Keep engaging with the community and making your voice heard. You bring healing, hope, and renewal of mind to many who have the privilege to share in your poetry. In regards to your poem, it exudes the perseverance and resilience you so clearly have. I can almost hear your voice through your writing, that is how powerful you are and how good it is. It feels as though you have weathered a lot in life and are still pushing through and continuing to sing and fight for whatever small glimpse of hope you can find in each day. Take life a day at a time. I want to encourage with something Martin Luther King said that I take with me, “Only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.” -“I Have been to the Mountaintop.” I would highly encourage you to read his I have been to the mountain top speech.

  56. Jasleen on October 14, 2021 at 5:37 PM

    DJ,
    I love how positive and bright this poem is! While in life everything is changing there is still much to be happy about.

  57. Rachel on November 19, 2021 at 12:14 PM

    What a powerful poem, DJ! In few words you have managed to convey profound feelings of love lost, and at once a sense of hope and resilience. Thank you for sharing your beautiful poem. Keep singing!
    -Rachel

  58. Charles Josep on August 27, 2022 at 6:03 AM

    thanks for sharing. I adore how upbeat and cheery this poem is! Even if everything in life is changing, there are still many reasons to remain joyful.

  59. EH on November 21, 2022 at 7:50 PM

    DJ,
    This poem is a beautiful depiction of your perseverence. Your repeated use of “But I sing” creates this feeling of unwavering hope, that despite harsh realities of life, you continue to carry yourself with some appreciation for the world around you. The last line, “Time ended it – and yet I sing” so perfectly ties together this idea of that timeless sense of hope. I really enjoyed reading this

  60. Laura on February 20, 2023 at 9:10 PM

    Hi DJ,
    I really enjoyed reading your poem. I loved the positivity and encouragement it gave me. The message of hope really shined through in your writing. I also like how you connected it to music and singing. Although you meant it in more of a metaphoric way, I still think music can be very hopeful and somewhat of a way out. It can help us express our emotions and feelings in a different form. Thank you for sharing this important message with your beautiful writing.

  61. eleni on February 28, 2023 at 3:00 PM

    This poem is extremely moving. The way I see it, this poem is about time, and how the flow of time takes things from us, but we must keep going. I especially like the lines, “I give a ring to a woman who was in need of a king, to me she was like a beautiful thing, time ended it, and yet I sing”. I really like the rhyming and flow of these lines, as well as the imagery that comes along when reading them. This poem shows strong determination from the author to keep pushing, or singing, even when the good things come to an end. Great message!

  62. Maggie on March 8, 2023 at 10:19 AM

    I really like this poem. Your word choice was very powerful. It was very short and sweet. Keep the positive poems up!

  63. NS on May 8, 2024 at 3:06 PM

    Thank you for writing such a lovely poem; I read every single line and then read it all over again. My favorite part however was the ending of your poem, “Time ended it, and yet I sing, I sing”. This not only spoke to me, but it also encouraged me at the same time to move forward the same way that you have. This poem gives me a sense of strength. It tells me that, yes, life has all sorts of curveballs and ups and downs, but we can’t stop, we have to find a way to keep moving forward, we have to sing. I can’t even begin to explain how much I love your poem and how powerful it has become to me, it’s absolutely perfect in my eyes and I hope that you see this poem the same way that I do. So again, I thank you for writing such a beautiful poem, and I thank you for sharing it for all to see.

Leave a Comment





This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

The poets featured here are currently incarcerated, and many of them are in federal prisons far from home. Your feedback is a valuable source of motivation and connection to the outside community. Post your comments, feedback, and encouragement in the space below the poem. Messages will be passed on directly to the author. Comments may not appear immediately on the site, as our team processes them to mail to the poets.