February 2021
Bio Note: As we get the new year rolling, I had the idea to send in this poem about a news story
from the past few years. I think it’s good to be reminded of where things went so terribly wrong and what we want
now in the way of healing. This poem first appeared in my book, The Full Moon Herald, which is a poetry
newspaper, filled with news stories and personal news stories, published by Grayson Books.
After Landing He Awoke Praying for a New Home
Fury gave him courage to climb the airport fence.
Not caring where he went, he crawled into the plane's wheel well.
He didn't want to die, only to disappear.
He felt the speed and lift off the ground but was already detached
from his body. His despair floated in the icy air like someone else's frozen tears.
He fell asleep and his heart went into hibernation,
a fifteen year old Arctic heart still beating at 35,000 feet.
Maybe the anger saved him, like a blanket pulled close to his skinny body
that kept some heat in. Maybe he still had just enough hope.
©2021 Phyllis Klein
Editor's Note: If this poem(s) moves you please consider writing to the
author (email address above) to tell her or him. You might say what it is about the poem that moves you. Writing to the author is what builds the community at Verse Virtual.
It is very important. -JL