Jumping In Air
1942
She snapped her static line
onto the anchor cable
and listened for the sound of the engines throttling back.
One other before her had nodded
and jumped into the dark night.
She felt the bag on her leg,
put her hands on either side of the opening.
She looked straight out to the invisible horizon,
even though it was dark.
And pushed herself out the door.
A night jump.
Before she counted to three
she floated and felt the cool air all around her.
She felt her heart beat
strong
and free,
her body a weightless toy.
She even hoped she could use the safety chute-
just this once-
but she was jerked hard,
upwards.
Her mission below
depended on a safe landing fall in a farmer’s field.
She howled into the air.
At the enemies anywhere.
For her camarades de compagne below.
Je suis libre! Je viens!
I am free! I am coming!
The air.
It has freed me!
Again.
She dropped her supply bag to her boot,
touched the pouch with her mission papers,
saw the few fires below marking landing space
and felt for the rushing ground
to meet her.
1966
She jumped off the dock,
her yellow sun suit pressing against her,
the air cool,
the kids in the pond laughing, playing.
She would join them!
She floated and turned,
weightless, nothing,
arms out like wings.
Turning, turning.
Then,
something grabbed her suit
and suspended her,
and brought her back.
Even after the scolding-
You can’t swim, you’re too young, don’t ever-
-she still floated and turned
and turned
and dreamt of jumping
again and again
into air.
Post Comments
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.
Please
Login
to post a comment