FLYING HIGH

It was the only way to travel
during the lockdown
with airports closed
harbours out of bounds

It was using the vacant air space
once densely populated
by jet engines with time-
tables tightly regulated

It was catching boats
with wind-powered wings
floating balloons
with propellers rattling

It was grabbing a parachute
or wings made of tough
sail-cloth getting away
from the tour-guide’s bluff

It was looking down at the
distant horizon staying
well away as the air currents
keep the wagon racing

It was not looking down as
your craft lost height
and hurtled slowly
towards the deep blue bight