Plane Spotting
Surviving winter...
A light twinkles in the distance,
and like a moth,
I stand transfixed.
It separates itself from the other stars,
slowly streaking across the expanse,
and with it my heart soars.
My eyes blur as I float,
carried on its wings,
other places, other times.
Flutters fill my being as I grow wings of my own,
I see myself there--
nervously bouncing one leg then the other,
stuffing another piece of cinnamon gum into my mouth.
The sweet juice fills my mouth,
a slight burn on my tongue,
memories of my childhood flashing--
red hots, fireballs, apple cider.
Spice to fill the summers with fun,
and the winters with warmth.
The lights flicker briefly,
and a soft ding punctuates the silence
as the Captain speaks,
his tone infectiously chipper.
"Lovely day to fly, clear skies,
and waiting ahead,
a sunny day with a mild breeze."
My eyes flit to my feet,
the heavy winter coat draping over my toes,
the hat and gloves sticking out from my purse--
finally feeling warm, I close my eyes,
sink into my seat.
Sunny day, mild breeze--
clear skies ahead.
I sigh, cinnamon filling the recycled air,
burning my eyes with fiery tears.
My eyes snap open--
only darkness above,
and darkness around.
I blink the tears away,
no cinnamon spice or recycled air--
only frosty breath and circle around the moon.
My eyes flit to my feet,
the heavy winter blanket melting,
pulling me into the icy abyss
one toe at a time.
I sink into the snow,
accepting my fate.
I sigh frosty breath,
and look to the skies--
anytime now,
another twinkle,
another place.
About the Creator
Lena Folkert
Alaskan Grown Freelance Writer 🤍 Lover of Prose
Former Deckhand & Barista 🤍 Always a Pleaser & Eggshell-Walker
Lifelong Animal Lover & Whisperer 🤍 Ever the Student & Seeker
Traveler 🤍 Dreamer 🤍 Wanderer
Happily Lost 🤍 Luckily in Love
Reader insights
Nice work
Very well written. Keep up the good work!
Top insights
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
Comments (5)
Let's interact with each other👍 great
This was so dreamy and melancholic! Loved how you included all the senses! Beautiful poem!
Superbly written!!! Love it!!!
I'm guessing even I might get tired of an Alaskan winter & long to be somewhere else long before spring arrives. As much as I love fall & winter, you had to have captured those long frozen nights powerfully for me already to be longing for spring, Lena.
I love taking this flight with you