Airplane....

I was looking through some things that I have written in the past.. journal entries, notes, letters, etc. And I found a journal entry about my very first (and only) ride in an airplane. So, I am re-writing it here below:

I am high above the clouds. They look like wind blown snow. I am level with the sunsets colors, like a pastel rainbow reflecting off a lake.

At first, I could see the cars and buildings get smaller and smaller. Then I could see the golf course and a lake. A row of yellow and white top school buses, parked in a lot reminded me of matchsticks lain in a row.

The plane makes a lot of turns, with the left wing dipping way down and then the right one. When that happens I get a very Swirly felling in my head but it passes quickly.

People get up and walk around like on a bus, I can't imagine how that must feel! Sometimes if feels like a bumpy road. Not bad, just bumpy.

We waited a long time in a long line. The lady behind me said maybe we are going to drive all the way there. I thought that was very funny. The plane was real loud at first. I had the earplugs in. But, though we rose up fast, the pressure wasn't too bad.

I'm hoping the landing is very similar. A gentleman behind me spoke about how choppy the wind is when you land in Las Vegas because of all the desert winds. I hope that isn't the case. I think I will watch the clouds for awhile.
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Over Lake Michigan now, the clouds are alot fuzzier here. Smeared white paint on a dark background. The ride is getting bumpy... makes it hard to write.
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Farmlands, like a patchwork quilt, stretch out for miles and miles. Ribbons of roads stretch like rulers through the fields. Cracks in the patches show where creeks and rivers gouge their path.

I wonder if I will see another plane now that we are up here so far above the clouds. Like another layer to existence, everything looks different up here.
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We are passing a storm it seems. It has gotten bouncy again and I can see lightening. I've also just seen another plane. Not the shape of it, but the flashing lights that you see when you are standing on "terra-firma". I am going to watch the light show for awhile.
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It must be really cold up here. There is frost forming on the outside window, like crystal art etched in glass. I can see tiny clusters of lights far below. It is kinda like star gazing... in reverse.

The larger clusters of lights remind me of the dying embers of a campfire with no flames, just glowing embers.
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An Awesome Flight

Nervous tension
Hands are damp
Ears are plugged
teeth are clamped.

Lights go dim
The engine roars
Down the lane
the airplane soars

Wings outstretched
like a shiny bird
The idea to some
is quite absurd.

The cars grow small
the pressure builds
Hearts beat faster
Conversation stills.

Above the clouds now
Sky is blue
Settling in
not much to do.

Below the clouds
light clusters glow
Sleeping cities
Far below.

With gentle bumps
the airplane rides
through the dark
and windy skys

Through the dusk
and into night
It really was
An Awesome Flight.

-- Anna 2005