Thirty-thousand feet high
the air is thin and I
take in this wondrous world
and contemplate goodbye.

Tangerine sky – liquid
blue haze clouds sing now
of you and yesterday.
I breathe easier here.

Wing tilts and waves, then glides
downward as my heart beats
its drum and warrior cry
echoes down trail of tears.

My home, your heart, the sky
slip fast from me: these three
rivers merge into one.
Harrowing, this descent.

My heart will fight no more,
forever I will fly
to starry sky, your heart,
my home and rise above.

I am a winged one now
on a gracious journey.
Deep breaths help re-entry,
daring to live again.