The Sky of Time
by Mike Treder
A great hot air balloon
Passing slowly through
The sky of time
A balloon carrying no gondola
And with no pilot
From the balloon hang many ropes
To which living humans cling
As they let go
Their lives are ended
While they hold on
They live
Some are born weak and infirm
Holding on but for a few minutes
Days, weeks, months
Many are born into ignorance, poverty, deprivation
Unable to hold on
More than a few years
The wind blows hard at times
Tearing some away
Unfairly
Untimely
Humans fight against other humans
Push them off the ropes
Or injure them so their grip becomes weak
And they fall
Some strive to rescue the injured, the weak, the ill
It is not easy
Maintain one’s own grip
Watch others fall
Only able to do so much
When a person lets go
No one can save them
Even heroic measures
Ultimately fail
For all let go in the end
Some humans preach
And others believe
That below is
Eternal life
Paradise
Nirvana
But no one knows
Other humans urge
Better education
Improved nutrition
Equal opportunity
For all
The vast majority are unaware
Of the great struggle around them
Seeing and knowing only
What is near
Preoccupied with holding on
And keeping family safe
Few are those
Who see the multitude
And glimpse the balloon
Who marvel at the vistas below
Who encounter fun, excitement, discovery
On their journey
Fewer still are those who explore, innovate, invent
Who toil in obscurity
Seeking a way out
A way up
To the top of the balloon
For some now dare to dream
Of ascending the ropes
And finding safe haven
To ride the wind forever
Hubris!
Cry others
Death is natural
We must not play God
The struggle continues
Some teach
Some preach
A few rescue
Many, many fall
A great balloon
In the sky of time