What Flying Is About*

What Flying Is About

Only a few birds are excellent fliers

The best is the pelican,
But close behind him

Are the turkey vulture
And the hummingbird

The vulture because his majestic grace
Is so incongruous with his looks and lifestyle,
And the hummingbird because he redefines

What Flying is about

Seagulls, ibises, and all the migrating species
Are good fliers only when they are in groups
And headed to important things �"

Otherwise, they are ordinary!

Now, you may not agree with any of this,

And you may believe that
I have foolishly omitted

The eagle from consideration

But you must concede
That none of my beliefs

Can be refuted -

And that is the hard-won truth
Of poetry, faith, hope, and love.