Not for the first time, he wondered if he was destined to become just another aimless, wounded war “hero” in an era when wars and heroes were no longer in fashion. "What’s dat stuff on your face? What is it?" Mark Cahill tried to pretend he was still asleep but the high-pitched young voice was penetrating and persistent. He had already endured two rough connecting flights and even rougher landings. Now this, and it wasn’t...

I want to spread my wings To learn to fly Sweeping, soaring, diving Across the worlds vast sky I want to soar to heights Where I have never been To see the sights As I have never seen I want to rise So very high above To see the things I would really love I want to see How far I can go If I do not try How will I ever know? Ready now, here I go One, two, and oh my three Jumping high, wings beating hard I am doing it! Every...

Wings spread wide, feathers in flight, The little finch flew through the air. He sings his song, as he flies along, To his true love, one that was rare. Her golden glory shown from above. The sun, was a lover so true. During the day he thinks himself a dove. That how much he loved her. She loved his sweet melody, And would listen to him day by day. And on the days he had cried. She gave him the warmth of her ray. When he...

Forgiveness is the key to unlocking the feelings felt from yours and others past transgressions. It is ancient history. Let it go, it only weighs you down.Placing the key inside the lock can be the hardest thing to do.After that obstacle is overcome, the task given becomes easier to perform. As the lock begins to open, sometimes it squeaks and groans under the weight carried for so long. A bit seized from lack of use, rus...

I fly on the back of a black bird,soaring high above the ground.Together we have adventures,playing as we fly around.Sometimes I miss the world below,but I am not welcome there.So I stay up high with my bird,We stay up in the air.From high up I can see you,I watch you now and then.You go along like I'm not gone,but I will be, it's just a matter of when.

I can't remember why I wanted to fly,it seemed like I could do anything I try.Once upon a time the dream seemed real,but dreams all end and fate is sealedThe earth seemed so hard and dark,I wanted to be free, to escape it like the lark.To see the clouds and float along,to hear the world play a different song.To be a place where the light surrounds,to be somewhere that was not the ground.But the sky was scary and newand un...

It was my first trip to Vegas. I was single and decided it was finally time to visit the place that so many of my friends and relatives had raved about. There was no Internet to check room rates back them, but the travel section in the Sunday paper always showed which agents had junkets to Vegas and the prices. After a few calls and one visit to a local agent I found one at a great price and booked it. The anticipation an...

The plane had only been off the ground for about fifteen minutes when it hit turbulence. He was shaking; his white knuckled-hands gripped the arm rest, and his stomach tightened as he resisted the urge to vomit. It was only his second time flying. The first time was on his way to Novus Angelus--the place he was now leaving--and that trip didn't go too well. At least he managed to grab an aisle seat--just in case. "First t...

This story takes place at harvest time again. It was a time when our cell phone did not have great signal strength, as we are situated between two signal towers. It's better now but still not great.I was at home, and decided to give Ed a call to see if he needed anything or just to ask how he was doing. See, I am the perfect little farm wife. He had been clearing the field of flax straw at the time. I kept getting the mes...

Squashed like a sardine in a tin, tension mounting a women nagging  babies crying Once glamorous, now routine, air hostesses sweating in their square jackets. mechanically miming safety code; eyes fixed on sights unseen. Elbows close to our bodies tense and waiting; I pray that we will not crash in the Irish Sea floating on a raft is not right for me. New earplugs squeezing my pressured ears. Plane vibrating; seat belt ti...

I flew to Mexico. Better a path raw and new than loosing the chance to find a life I stepped out of the pristine airport into cicadas screaming Crows cawing Street venders shouting out green mangos. Short square Indians with embroidered dresses Serapes to protect themselves from the chill Of a city 2,500 meters into the sky “So this is my new daughter in law,” he said giving a high pitched thin laugh.

A little lost birdTrying to find her way homeA little lost birdLost in the worldOver the tree topsAnd under the gray cloudsA little lost birdTrying to find her way homeA meadow of flowers, grass and treesMaking her way homeA little lost birdStill trying to find her way homeHer family and friendsWelcoming her homeA little lost birdMade her way home