Astonishing to think
That not so long ago
First the Brothers Wright
Then Louis Blériot
Initiated flight.

And strapped into a seat
Now we can choose a drink,
Tomato juice, red wine,
Some music or a film
At 30, 000 feet.

Remarkable to know
That aviation fuel,
Once vegetable remains,
Comes from the earth as oil
And energises planes.

Comforting to presume
The cabin’s pressurised
And instruments of flight
Are skilfully devised
To navigate the night.

Consoling to believe
The forces that can heave
The weight of this machine
Above the ocean waves
And alpine mountain scene.

Strange to be conscious of
The distant sea below
And absent sky above
Where cloud formations flow
Detached from all we love.