This time,
I wore
a parachute
before
I jumped
off the
edge
of
fa
ll
in
g

In-Flight Convergence
by Michael R. Burch

serene, almost angelic
the lights of the city                 extend
over lumbering behemoths
shrilly screeching displeasure
they say:
that nothing is certain
that nothing man dreams or ordains
long endures his command

here the streetlights that flicker
and those blazing steadfast
seem one                                   from a distance
descend?
they abruptly
part                      ways

so that nothing is one
which at times does not suddenly blend
into garish insignificance
in the familiar alleyways
in the white neon flash
and the billboards of convenience

and man seems the afterthought of his own brilliance
as we thunder down the enlightened runways

Keywords/Tags: city, lights, streetlights, neon, signs, billboards, trucks, traffic, runways, landing, jet, plane, airplane, brakes, screeching, alleys, alleyways

Every day my mind wonders the same way.
There are times when I can feel myself falling,
Wondering if you will be there to catch me…
But you are not. It seems you never are.
Funny that, considering all the times I caught you.
My arms are so strong, yet tired from all the times you fell,
From all the times I stood at the bottom to cushion your landing,
Yet you can’t even be bothered to at least try…
Not even once.

So here I am wondering, why am I falling?
Why are you not at the bottom of this dark and steep fall?
Whose arms are strong enough to cushion my landing?
The world has gone black.
Yet I’m still falling into this hole.
And you are still not there.

I have to laugh.
Oh, pity the fool who got ****** in to your world!
Oh, pity the fool who made sure to be there!

No, don’t pity me
DON’T YOU DARE.
You don’t deserve to pity me,
You don’t deserve to catch me.
You don’t deserve to be there.

Cylindrical steel take me
         higher than I'll ever soar
                                              Except maybe
                                after the frantic sprint of rubber hooves has stopped
                                                   and I smile into your embrace
                                                                                            once more