Christmas Flight

 

 


Oh, little patch of lights, so far below,
     I watch you as I pass above, aglow,
I wonder, "What's your name, and where you are?",
     As far away as yonder, distant star.

It's Christmas Eve, I'll make do with my mates,
     But envy you while passing state to state;
Are your children kneeling now in prayer?
     Is Santa on his way down silent stair?

Do wife and husband hold each other near,
     To chase away the omnipresent fear?
Do relatives around the tree now sing,
     Does Christchild with His Peace and Love now bring?

I may not tarry, farther west I fly,
     Through blue, now changing to a blackened sky,
I travel to large cities on the coast,
     Large cities with large problems they do host!

Oh, how I wish to land upon your street,
     Your humble people would tonight I meet,
Your children to enfold, blonde curls caress,
     Blue eyes the Christmas Story to express.

Tho' I have seen the wonders of this world,
     And traveled here and yon across the sea,
Watched the sun sink low on Galway bay,
     And sunrise on the shore of Wakiki,

Spent half my life in non-descript hotels,
     With "Mrs. Vino" and a small TV;
One thing I've learned this past half-century:
     'Tis I should envy you, and you not me!

But I must travel onward farther west,
     One day to meet my God; the Final Test!
I chase the sun; soon I will find my rest,
     To stand before Him, humble in my quest.

The sun sinks low, all Heaven is afire!
     My mortal eyes his majesties admire.
Dear God, I thank you for this evening flight:
     To You, to all humanity; Good Night!

Michael J. Larkin
  
Captain, TWA (Retired)