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 π€ Lover of Prose
Former Deckhand & Barista π€ Always a Pleaser & Eggshell-Walker
Lifelong Animal Lover & Whisperer π€ Ever the Student & Seeker
Traveler π€ Dreamer π€ Wanderer
Happily Lost π€ 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 otherπ 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