Flying south, the pilot turns right
from the Atlantic coastline and curves
inland, toward home. This citizen cranes
carefully across the sleeping
window seat passenger to get
first glimpses of the greens and
blues, the web of highways and landmarks,
the wetlands spelling out their wild
welcome, then neighborhoods with their lakes
flickering blue by the hundreds
across the landscape, the urban buzz,
the bustle and beauty that is Orlando.
Children headed for theme park wonder
squeal and applaud when we touch down,
and even the most weary business
traveler smiles. For as many reasons
as there are carry-ons,
we are all glad to be here.
Home—a place for swans
and humans, hawks and eagles,
to thrive in the sun.