Joshua Yoskowitz

Through the air

Using wind as their source

These birds spectacularly lift

Off the ground like a leaf on

A windy day in autumn;

Flying endlessly every which way

Defying gravity at its root.

From high to low pressure,

This difference creating levitation

Astonishes, intrigues and impresses people

For centuries upon centuries—And yet

I look up at these birds in the sky

Wondering how do they fly

With such elegance and style

And be so graceful and versatile.

Only so many animals are gifted with this privilege;

Others would have to wait until they can fledge

But how? Just tell me how do they do it

While we are here on earth and are forced to sit?

Oh the urge, the need, the desire to fly

Way above the gray clouds, way above the blue sky

Past tall buildings, past vast mountains, past high trees

Up with the birds, up with ease—And

Throughout these many years

Many have tried, many have failed,

From all the courage, from all the fears

Some have fallen, some have prevailed,

Some have used it for fun, some for recreation,

Or for an air force in the war,

Like dropping missiles for annihilation

Or dropping bombs for more.

Flight has its ups and downs

For positive and negative uses,

Like traveling to many towns

In an airplane while it cruises.

Regardless of how long the need is endured,

It will be eventually satisfied, rest assured.