Tuesday, July 22, 2003
Flying Back
Lifting through the turbulence
the zephyrs churn me unimpeded
but something in the spirit shifts
and hearts and minds find common cadence
All of them took all of me
and lavished me with tendernesses
looking gladly to my comfort
reaffirming I and they
are indivisibly a we
I’d launched myself across the country
further than my confidence
could stretch, until I knew that
I was held aloft by those
whose love would never let me fall
until their arms were there to catch me.
Crossing vastness unexplored
and endless acres darkened by
anachronistic anxiousness
and unsupported expectations
I steeled myself against my landing
only to glide softly into
glowing light and gentle nights
when I take off again I wonder
if the flight will ever land me
back quite where I lately started
Back is never truly back
and travellers come home transformed
my clothes and body persevere
You have to look beyond the luggage
In my crowded seat in coach
some doubts were overbooked and bumped
and what is left has been upgraded
sense of self is now first class
there is no meal on this flight
but I have satisfied my hunger
I’ll just stare out from my window
now the land all looks like home.
