my father was given medals
for a part in a war
he never played

while men flew
and killed for freedom
he serviced planes
women
and social functions
for the purpose
of entertaining troops

he played tennis
he stayed alive

now
as i fly above clouds
beautiful beyond words
i think
there are never
medals for women
no matter how much of
their lives they lose
all or some or part

as i watch heat
shimmer from wings
leaving
behind
my crippled son who
will know neither
war nor women

i think
i killed no-one
i played nothing
but i stayed alive
to live for the first time
in fifteen years
this transitory freedom
above clouds
beautiful
beyond words