If Only I Could Fly

I see the contrails marking where you’ve
flown but the atmosphere is closed to me,
I am no man of means nor can I beat the pull
of gravity. Although I share your dreams
of floating free I never learned to fly.

Come with me you cry, it’s easy, spread
your mental wings and soar into the sky.
I fear success with fear that’s worse than
fearing death – to try and not succeed is
scarcely worth the pain presumed, but

to fly and make it free of earthly claim
deludes the sane and rational man in me.
I could not return to humble life again – I’d
die on wings that never slept, I’d never need
to breathe another breath if only I could fly.
© 6 May 2007, I.D. Carswell