When Icarus fell
did he know he was falling?
could he see the sun flying just out of reach,
feel the wind pulling the knots from his hair
and the clouds desperately reaching to catch him?

When Icarus fell
did he look over his shoulder?
down to the white blades of crashing waves
and the greedy touch of the salty sea spray,
to a grave as old as time itself?

When Icarus fell
could he hear his father crying for him?
shouting to hold on for just a little longer
the  land was just ahead and they could make it
if he could, for a moment, give up on pride.

When Icarus fell
could he still hear the Sun whispering to him?
promising greatness, promising godhood
if only he reached a little further, flew a little higher,
as it stole the feathers from his wings.

When Icarus fell
did he know his name would become synonymous with pride?
that centuries later, people would still speak of him,
not his wit, or his intelligence, or his beauty, but his blindness.
did he know that every story about him would begin with the words

When Icarus fell?