Home For Christmas (Poetry)
23rd December 2011
Only minutes from the airport, the midnight sky hung calm
the air so cold stars glittered overhead
the flight on time, the runway clear, so no cause for alarm
when suddenly the radio went dead.
The captain, stoic in his years, said quietly to his crew
there was a problem — just some minor glitch
and really there was nothing any one of them could do
but carry on — have faith it would be fixed.
Then in the distance, to the North, appeared a glowing light
too large to be an air balloon or plane —
a UFO fast-approaching in a ball of silver-white
and like a comet trailing skirts of flame.
Oblivious, each passenger dozed peaceful in their seat
their long and tiring journey almost done —
going home for Christmas so their family’s complete
all dreaming of the holiday to come.
Meanwhile, the strange hypnotic glow intensified and grew
the silent watchers prayed for such a sign
hoping for a miracle to see the danger through —
petitioning the help of the Divine.
At last a form was visible with wings whose massive size
would fill a great catherdral with their sweep
a figure stood enormous with light pouring from his eyes
while gazing at them — his expression deep.
One by one, from out their dreams, the passengers awoke
and through the portholes goggled at the sight —
“Look Mummy — it’s an angel!” a breathless voice then spoke
and all agreed the little child was right.
One by one, each in their turn, looked out upon the face
of a being none had thought they’d ever see —
his presence truly glorious and filling a vast space
and spreading hope so darkness ceased to be.
He raised a hand in blessing, smiled, then vanished into dust
the witnesses were stunned to muted awe
imaginations racing, the atmosphere now hushed
they wondered — still elated, left unsure...
Then, all at once, the radio st-stuttered back on line
repeating the request to please respond
the captain straight away confirmed that everything was fine
and didn’t mention anything beyond.
After a safe landing, the exhausted captain learned
his plane had vanished from the radar screen —
the tower had received reports that “something up there burned”
remaining vague on what it might have been.
Thankful, deep in their own thoughts, the passengers and crew
set off for home along the motorway
each pondering the miracle as a new dawn broke through
and filled their hearts with joy on Christmas Day.
the air so cold stars glittered overhead
the flight on time, the runway clear, so no cause for alarm
when suddenly the radio went dead.
The captain, stoic in his years, said quietly to his crew
there was a problem — just some minor glitch
and really there was nothing any one of them could do
but carry on — have faith it would be fixed.
Then in the distance, to the North, appeared a glowing light
too large to be an air balloon or plane —
a UFO fast-approaching in a ball of silver-white
and like a comet trailing skirts of flame.
Oblivious, each passenger dozed peaceful in their seat
their long and tiring journey almost done —
going home for Christmas so their family’s complete
all dreaming of the holiday to come.
Meanwhile, the strange hypnotic glow intensified and grew
the silent watchers prayed for such a sign
hoping for a miracle to see the danger through —
petitioning the help of the Divine.
At last a form was visible with wings whose massive size
would fill a great catherdral with their sweep
a figure stood enormous with light pouring from his eyes
while gazing at them — his expression deep.
One by one, from out their dreams, the passengers awoke
and through the portholes goggled at the sight —
“Look Mummy — it’s an angel!” a breathless voice then spoke
and all agreed the little child was right.
One by one, each in their turn, looked out upon the face
of a being none had thought they’d ever see —
his presence truly glorious and filling a vast space
and spreading hope so darkness ceased to be.
He raised a hand in blessing, smiled, then vanished into dust
the witnesses were stunned to muted awe
imaginations racing, the atmosphere now hushed
they wondered — still elated, left unsure...
Then, all at once, the radio st-stuttered back on line
repeating the request to please respond
the captain straight away confirmed that everything was fine
and didn’t mention anything beyond.
After a safe landing, the exhausted captain learned
his plane had vanished from the radar screen —
the tower had received reports that “something up there burned”
remaining vague on what it might have been.
Thankful, deep in their own thoughts, the passengers and crew
set off for home along the motorway
each pondering the miracle as a new dawn broke through
and filled their hearts with joy on Christmas Day.