It came to pass, when the weather was right
and the air traffic patterns were appropriately tight,
that the trail from ATL to LGA did make
a pass o’er CLE and the lake.
Where goes the trail, we may not know:
as it twists, it turns, it bends.
Along the trail we follow though
we see not where it wends.
19 July 2011
DL 485
Filed under Poem
The eyes of the child in 29A grew wide as
turbulence buffeted the plane on its approach to ATL-
wind gusts pushed it from side to side and up and down.
The face of the child in 29A turned pale as
the plane finally hit the ground with
a thud,
a thunk,
a thump.
The gasp of the child in 29A could be easily heard as
the plane fishtailed down the runway
before slowing to taxiing speed.
The mouth of the child in 29A smiled, slightly smiled, as
the woman in 29C said,
“I told you we would be OK.”
The ears of the child in 29A did not hear as
the woman in 29C turned and said ‘cross the aisle:
“That really was pretty rough.”
“We’re walking away,” said 29D.
“Any landing you walk away from is a good landing.”
“Amen,” added 29E.
The hands of the child in 29A, as
the plane neared the gate,
began to torment his brother.
19 July 2011
DL 1716, DL 485
Filed under Poem
They lose their fight to hold back tears
as they struggle for the words to say goodbye.
An awkward final embrace, then
a flight attendant gently takes the child’s hand.
At jetway entry, the child turns.
From under a mop of yellow curls,
red-rimmed eyes look where the father stands.
Brave waves exchanged,
the child continues toward the plane.
The father steps to the window,
presses his hands, leans his forehead.
To support himself?
To try to pass through the glass?
Condensate forms underneath his nose.
He stares at the plane as passengers embark.
The jetway retracts,
the plan backs away.
Until it disappears from view,
the father’s fixed gaze follows.
Then, and only then,
he slowly turns,
rubs his eyes,
and leaves the gate.
Alone.
19 July 2011
Gate C38
Denver International Airport
Filed under Poem
As it so often does,
the Trail turns toward the east –
into the risen sun.
Behind red rock canyons lie;
canyons made of steel loom ahead.
19 July 2011
Denver International Airport
Filed under Poem
Today is Nelson Mandela’s birthday.
Thanks be to God for his life, witness, and service.
Nelson Mandela International Day
Take Action! Inspire Change (from the UN)
Mandela Turns 93, World Called to Serve (from The Christian Post)
How will you observe the day?
How will you make every day a Mandela Day?
See you along the Trail.
Filed under Human Rights
Unbidden,
a thistle grows in the yard,
a sturdy, prickly weed.
Unasked,
its green and purple hues
reveal
a simple mystery:
life,
death,
life to be,
triangle of eternity.
16 July 2011
Ghost Ranch, 2011
Blank pages yet to fill,
words to write,
plans to make,
notes to take,
tales to spin,
life to live.
16 July 2011
Ghost Ranch, NM
Filed under Poem
Three stages in the life of a thistle – “something prickly and hard to eradicate” to kind of quote Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.
Not sure what to make of this yet, but it has me thinking.
See you along the Trail.
Taken in the area of the casitas at Ghost Ranch where the college staff live. Georgia O’Keefe’s mountain in the background.
See you along the Trail.
Filed under Photo
To learn what life will bring you,
for a fee, a modest fee,
Sister Rose will read your palm
and tell you just what will be.
Now only for this summer,
Rose is offering a steal,
two readings at one low price:
how can you pass on such a deal?
For should you be discouraged
by what your right hand reveals,
your left one may provide you
with a future that appeals.
13 July 2011
Espanola, NM and Ghost Ranch, NM
Filed under Poem
Along the Graybeard Trail 