Down To Earth

All those magnificent men in their flying machines
of flapping wings
feathered
(they went too close to the sun and burned)
or canvas framed
(they barely left the ground with a hop skip and jump)
to begin with.
But soon they were followed by variations on balloons
filled
        with hot air
        or helium
        or hydrogen.
Then came the airplanes
                      &nbspgliders
                      &nbspmotors
                      &nbspjet propelled
                      &nbspsea planes
                      &nbsphelicopters.
Then the earthly atmosphere became too tame for them,
ready for breeching in their search for more space
they launched their whooshing rockets.

But in the end they’ll all be back
down to earth.
Gravity will ground them.