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.