Training Flight

A slender white feather fell from the sky,
young angel apprentices passing by.
They flew loops and formations three days a week,
pushed the flight limits to stay fit and sleek
because one day, perhaps very soon,
they will soar and twist in the light of the moon
and as every old angel knows very well,
flying at night is like flying in hell
where it’s smokey and dark, strange sounds fill the air
and all the young angels maneuver in pairs
until one day soon, with confident grace,
they will bring Good News to the whole human race.

What an honor it is to earn your wings!
The training is hard and everyone brings
a deep desire to fly for the Lord,
but all admit it is pretty hard.
Early mornings and again late at night
they read the manuals then start the flight
that takes them over rivers and streams.
To the average onlooker it mistakenly seems
very easy to wing over deserts and seas,
to dart among pines and ancient oak trees.
But now and then, not too often I’m sure,
a renegade angel, on his very first tour,
pushes the limits, tries too hard,
and that’s when a feather falls in your yard.

But give them time, they’ll come around.
The best flying angels that can be found.
And, just like all angels who have flown before,
one may decide to knock on your door.