Recently, I was trying to dredge my past flying dreams up from the depths
of long term memory and it was proving to be quite a chore. I finally decided
to create a computer data base so I could review my airborne experiences
more readily. Gathering information in one place made it easy to realize:
flying is very versatile. There are so many possible styles of flight.
I can be floating just free of the ground or sweeping through the stratosphere.
Winging my way at waist level, eye level, head level, ceiling level. Skimming
the earth inches above the undulating hills or tracing the curvature of
city skylines. Headed towards the orange horizon, into the great hood of
night. Orbiting our big Blue Marble as quickly as running my fingers across
a classroom globe. Steering for the sun, rounding the moon, passing by planets,
trekking beyond the stars into the black cosmos. Through wavering time barriers,
shifting dimensions, into and out of walls, through earth and water and
transparent force fields.
Drifting leisurely like a balloon in a gentle breeze. Veering headlong
back and forth, up and down through an obstacle course, trying to avoid
sharp craggy rocks jutting out of the sea or those ubiquitous wires in the
sky. Zero velocity while floating, hovering or sitting lotus style. Slow
motion to observe details of the dreamscape. Zipping so fast that the scenery
streaks, then dissolves and disappears.
Downwards in free-fall or directed flight. Diving into the liquid bed
of the sea, throwing up jets of water and foam. Upwards like a leaf blown
in the wind, an elevator or a rocket. Ascending in a fountain of water or
in a fireworks fountain of light. Beamed up into a spaceship. Caught in
a current, spreading arms, allowing the air to buoy me up. Forward, feet
first. Backward, watching the scenery recede into infinity.
Swimming through the sky using the breast stroke or crawl. Sculling or
treading air to stay up. Coasting like some solar surfer on the pressure
waves of an invisible ocean. Using arms like wings, flapping arms like a
bird, shifting arms, hands or full body to change directions. Using feet
as if on skis, skates or skate board, lifting the right foot to slide in
that direction. Walking on air.
Flat-out akimbo with arms forward, arms back or arms like a fixed wing
aircraft - straight out to the side. Hands on hips. One arm out, fist clenched,
the other at my side. Straight legs, crooked legs, legs drooping. Curled
or stiff-backed. Lying on my back or side. At an angle, feet higher than
head, head higher than feet. Sitting, standing, upside down.
Hop-flying, jump-flying, bounce-flying as well as the common glide. Beeline
or banking and doubling back. Back and forth, like swinging on a rope. Circumscribing
lazy circles, making quick 90 degree turns. Somersaults and cartwheels.
Back rolls, flips and loop-de-loops. Twisting like a silky, sinuous snake.
Wriggling like a worm.
With props like a magic stick, rod or "hobble belt." Using
tree branches as wings, or the canvas of a hang-glider. In a hot-air balloon,
or James Bond style flying car-plane. As an airplane pilot or passenger.
Standing atop a floating car or lying on an invisible force field. Straddling
a missile, a person, Pegasus. Flown in the arms of another. Allowing a train
to push my feet as I speed down the railroad track.
Clothed in funky bathrobes or special super-outfits. Glasses, goggles
or a floating scarf. As a pixie, sprite, Super Hero, male and female god.
Sprouting hawk wings. Becoming a butterfly. As myself, in the body of another.
As a spark of light. As a rectangle!
Of course, after all this aerial activity, it might be a treat to touch
the steadfast earth again. I can float down gently or, if I've been speed-flying,
crash into the ground or dive into the water. My favorite option is to screech
to a halt a hairsbreadth before reaching the ground, then drop the last
milli-distance to execute a perfect, two point landing. |
OOOOO |
