I Need Air -- Alan Lerner

Guest poem sent in by Zenobia Driver :

(Poem #1954) I Need Air I could see it wasn't worth Spending time with them on earth. There were fewer in the sky. I decided I would fly. I need air... Where only stars get in my hair: And only eagles stop and stare. I need air. Oh, the work is mad And I've had my share. I need air. I need air. I need air... There's not a sign of life down there. Just hats and grown-ups everywhere. I need air. Lots of cosy sky That God and I can share. I need air. I need air. -- Alan Lerner

     (from the musical 'The Little Prince', based on the book by
      Antoine St. Exupery)

I guess this describes the pilot who is not one of the gang, a loner, who
flies to get away from it all. A nice poem to read on days when everyone
around is getting on your nerves.

  I could see it wasn't worth
  Spending time with them on earth.
  There were fewer in the sky.
  I decided I would fly.

As good a reason to fly as any!

Loved the cheekiness in the lines:
  There's not a sign of life down there.
  Just hats and grown-ups everywhere.

Yes, I feel like this quite often.

Zen

[Martin adds]

It's surprising how many flying poems and songs have their essence captured
by Yeats's immortal line "a lonely impulse of delight". Today's is no
exception.

martin

[Links]

Biography:
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Jay_Lerner

The Little Prince [I really need to see this! - martin]:
  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071762/maindetails