The ancient dream of flying has come true
and I look up, unamazed.
Why doesn’t it fall?
A child’s question I can’t explain.
I dress my ignorance in what I know.
Once there were pterodactyls, I say.
Once the sky was guesswork and birds.
It’s immense and small, so high
it isn’t making a sound.
If it were to drop bombs, if by luck
a few of us were saved
and had to start again, I’d have nothing
for the pain but words.
I tell my daughter
I’ve been up there, in the sky,
but both of us are unimpressed.
She’s seen Star Wars. And I no longer
ask for a window seat.
Faced with flying, I think of death.
I will not tell her this
as I will not tell her the house
is her cave and I the hairy man who returns
each night, often speechless and confused.
Leave a Reply