Outside
the wild sky smears us
when we look up—
always curious.
The birds are flying.
The clouds
and stars
fly.
On TV a rocket blooms
and people thrust themselves free
of the planet’s atmosphere.
In space astronauts
are earthed
in a cage of air.
Because we all walk on dirt together,
biology constrains our space.
Here on dirt we live.
Here I breathe and rise
from the dusty ground.
I rattle my windows.
I clutch a brilliant red parachute
filled with adrenaline
and leap—
The sky soars.
The flat horizon soars.
I fly until this precious freedom
disappears into the wind.
I gaze at the black moment
where air meets space
and I fall
just as I realize
flight is not impossible.
© 2001 Christine Klocek-Lim
Christine Klocek-Lim 
OH! The image, the words, the image, the words again….just perfect!
Aurora, thanks for your lovely words and for continually coming to check out my blog. You are too kind. 🙂
the elements in this photo are amazing!
Home run Christine!!!!! Jam up ending!!!!p.s. tell Terry need another song!
Ruthanne, thanks! I’m happy you like it. It was freezing out when I took the picture and I’m lucky it’s in focus (shivering).Pat, thank for reading. Glad you like it. I wanted to post something sort-of hopeful; so many of my poems are about death! LOL.
What can I say…this is yet another wonderful poem and amazing photo! I love the ending, and here’s my favorite line:the wild sky smears us
Janet, thanks so much for reading. 🙂
Your image is spectacular. I think this is the most stirring bit of word/photo combination on your blog currently. Really powerful.
Nick, I am overwhelmed by your words. Thank you!