former navy pilot unpacks
fond memories of his days
ordered in pristine uniform,
life aboard aircraft carrier.
forever alert, he still scans
ocean-blue expanse of sky
beyond white-sand islands
of floating cumulous puffs.
reminisces one shining hour:
officer’s personal invitation
to test-flight new jet fighter,
before honorable discharge.
accelerate to pure freedom;
loop-de-loop clouds, swoop
between sapphire skies and
cerulean sea, defy gravitas.
reverie reverts, retiree points
up – “those clouds look innocent
yet pose real threat to pilots;
may harbor hail, wind shears.”
in worn-out lawn chair, he bird
watches as sleek indigo swallows
swiftly cruise from barn hangar
to sail into loyal-blue heavens.
photo: wiki commons
A memory my 82 yr. old father shared with me while staying at our house this summer and linking with dVerse poets OLN in response to De’s “blue” prompt.
a poem in my pocket 
Aug 12, 2016 @ 03:08:45
Oh this is such a wonderful tribute ❤️
Aug 12, 2016 @ 08:30:32
Thanks for reading!
Aug 12, 2016 @ 01:02:47
Surely important memories for your father, now passed on to you. I enjoyed the poem and these lines especially:
loop-de-loop clouds, swoop
between sapphire skies and
cerulean sea, defy gravitas.
-Thanks for sharing!
Aug 12, 2016 @ 08:29:25
Those are my favorite too 🙂 You’re welcome.
Aug 11, 2016 @ 23:08:02
“loop-de-loop clouds, swoop
between sapphire skies and
cerulean sea, defy gravitas.”
~great imagery! I felt like flying. 😀 Your father must be proud. ❤
Aug 12, 2016 @ 08:28:31
Glad you felt the exhilaration…thanks, Maria!
Aug 11, 2016 @ 20:29:36
How nice to have had your father visit and to hear his stories. Of such moments eternal memories are born. And an excellent poem for “blue”. He truly is a hero.
Aug 11, 2016 @ 20:55:42
I appreciate your kind thoughts, Toni.
Aug 11, 2016 @ 19:03:38
He reminds me of my 94 year old friend. Great memories of flight.
Aug 11, 2016 @ 20:11:51
Those memories remain vivid 🙂
Aug 11, 2016 @ 18:53:37
Lovely tribute.
Aug 11, 2016 @ 21:28:07
Glad you stopped by to read, Arcadia!
Aug 11, 2016 @ 18:08:34
Love your tribute here, Lynn – into the loyal blue heavens – Great!
Aug 11, 2016 @ 20:10:32
Thanks for your comment, Scott!
Aug 11, 2016 @ 17:41:53
“Loyal blue heavens”…that’s beautiful, Lynn. You’re fortunate to be able to still hear some old stories from your father…this was a wonderful tribute to him for his service.
Aug 11, 2016 @ 19:34:54
Thank you very much, Gayle!
Aug 11, 2016 @ 16:10:32
I do love how the way how the sky can be so different for a pilot… for me it’s looking for coming rain… those clouds warning…
Aug 11, 2016 @ 17:21:29
Yes, a warning about, a warning in… clouds
Aug 11, 2016 @ 16:04:19
Such a beautiful memory immortalizing your loving father!
Aug 11, 2016 @ 16:07:54
Yes, he’s a hero in MY life!
Aug 11, 2016 @ 16:53:01
So wonderful!