Owl eyed and dangerous, goddess of airlines,
talons given to the rising, letting earth slide
from sight. Leave us liminal passengers

praying for water and salt. Hum of hydraulics,
impossible wind, aluminum parabola through
Denver and home, I pray to you. Air recycled

through thin atmosphere, heat lightening
shaking the fear of death off us. Tolerate us
tonight, sister of turbulence, crossroad crone.

This is against nature. We are made slow as
a saunter, centered twenty miles from birth to
death. Forgive us our trespass, sin of speed

burning up the world. The patchwork earth
hungers for our blood. Keep us aloft, oh
mother of jet streams, show grace for us all.

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Image: “Tail & Horizon” by Kaleb Art