I gazed awhile at a candystriped biplane
shredding clouds nearbabove
helterskeltering and whirling through gutknotting
loops and pirouettes.
Surely the pilot was whooping and yelling?
One day you will fly, too
solo stunts with twirls and frisky flourishes
and now and again, hushed gliding:
sailplaneing some tranquil spirit flow
We, your friends downhere will
gawk and gasp, hurrah! and clap
and say- doesn’t she fly beautifully?
… and maybe you’ll want to land sometimes
and we shall light the beacons
to guide you home into our arms
to thrill us with the tales of your flying
Flaunden, UK; July 1986