music to soar

perched high
among clouds
we glance down
now and then
to see the ground
and how far
we have to fall

brown wrinkled carpet
of ridges and valleys
of grey dusty plains
stretched flat over
weather-worn hills

white-capped peaks
divided by wriggling
lines of rivers
and roads
connecting towns
and villages

icy crystals form on
an unshuttered window
darkness falls behind
a mountain range of cloud

the greyness melts
to a vague blue
an intangible horizon
holding still while
a curved wing shudders

the sky elsewhere
is blank
waiting for stars
a lopsided dome
of light and dark

are we fleeing the day
or pursuing the night?
do we wish this time away
to pass us untouched
unexperienced?
where would we go?

we follow the path
set before us
thinking of tangents
and friends far away

red lights flash
warning the gods
of our steady approach
and yet still no stars shine

we fly like no other bird
for we need music to soar