Kim Kemmer is a third year Creative Writing major at Vancouver Island University. Her work has been featured in the 2013 of Portal magazine and will be featured in the upcoming 2014 edition. In 2012, Kim won the Kevin Robert’s Poetry Award Scholarship. “The Falconer” was inspired by Mongolian golden eagle hunters.
The Falconer
I have waited for you.
Since the day I was born, I have waited
To hold your weight within my arms,
and send your body soaring.
I watched my father daily.
With fear and wonder, I would watch
How he held your body gently
and confined you just the same.
I saw him let you go once.
You sprang with freedom, and I saw
a flash of fear within your wings,
and he confined you just the same.
My father hasn’t named you.
You are his, but not in name.
He says you aren’t his to title,
But you’re his to wield and fly.
One day, I will fly too.
In your breast, my goals will sail
upon these lofty Mongol hills
into the flesh of my next meal.