Because It Flies

For the 8 minutes it was in the air, when there were no missiles on its wings or bombs in its belly, there was no war. 

Every little boy who loves an aeroplane does so simply because it flies. Eventually, we learn to accept the realities of the world – like why it’s necessary for missiles and bombs to exist. It’s hard to embrace the world as it is, harder still to let go of what it could be. Reality often conquers innocence, but my innocence never goes down without a fight. 

Today, an instrument of war offered something beautiful to the world. Today, there was poetry of movement emanating from a machine designed to kill. My breath stilled and eyes welled up as I watched it waltz with the wind. It was, simply, one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. Certainly, the most beautiful flying display.

Swift glances at the crowd revealed a sea of childish wonderment, ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ from men in jumpsuits entirely accustomed to the spectacle of a jet fighter – utterly stupefied by this one.

I refuse to believe that such beauty can come from a malevolent mind. For whatever it’s worth, I hope that offers some comfort to the men who created it – and the man who flies it. I hope those little boys know they’ve done well.