At Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
A strong wind blew open the storage room
That held Delta Air Lines’ sick bags. This is true.
And carried by that mighty wind, they soared;
Those thousands of sick bags,
Like an army of angels with paper wings,
Over the breathtaking ruins of inner-city Detroit.
Please don’t forget me!
Pleaded the desolate megalopolis by the river.
We are God’s winged emissaries!
Do not despair! You will not be forgotten!
In time, all will dwell within you.
Please don’t forget me!
Begged the runaway hiding in the hotel.
We are God’s winged emissaries!
Prepare yourself! We will not forget you!
We have come to take you home.
Please don’t forget me!
Cried the boy trembling on the train tracks.
We are God’s winged emissaries!
Do not be afraid! You will not be forgotten! Listen!
You will live always on the edge, believing you are alone,
But you are not alone.
All of history is bound to your wrist, all of memory,
All family and friends, all enemies,
All politicians and decision-makers,
All businessmen,
All masters and teachers—
They will hang like pianos from your heels,
But slow your breath and take your first step boldly.
To fall into the abyss and have the world above you,
And you will see.
You will soar high on the fearless wings of your sick bag!
It will be hard, but you will rise!
But be warned! You will be judged, and judged harshly,
But only by those who never dared to jump.
They will sit and say, That traitor, that pompous fraud,
Look at him! Who the hell does he think he is?
But you are none of these things.
You are a beautiful dancer,
Ribbons trailing joy and gratitude
Around a boundless sun.
