Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: TRAVELER (01/28/16)
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TITLE: Live Your Journey | Previous Challenge Entry
By Elizabeth Baize
02/03/16 -
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I turned, looked up, and smiled
Into a pair of bright blue eyes
Belonging to a child.
“Of course and let your mother
Take the seat there on the aisle.
When you have stowed your bags,
We’ll be all set to fly in style.”
I leaned back against my seat,
And glanced at my new friend.
“You like to travel much?” I asked.
It’s my first time,” she grinned.
“Well, since we have a longer flight
Perhaps you’d like to hear
About some people that I’ve met
While traveling far and near?”
“You never know just who you’ll meet
Or what she’ll have to say.
And sometimes she can tell a tale
That really makes your day.”
“Okay.” she gave a little nod.
I laughed and took the cue
To launch into my story
As we bid the ground adieu.
“I’ve seen a girl near twice your age
Just taking her first flight.
I happened to sit next to her;
She really was a sight.
With giant earrings, bright red lips
And curly bouncing hair
She thought she’d gone to heaven
As we took off in the air.
Although I could not guess this
If you gave me ninety years,
She was a bike mechanic –
Loved the engines and the gears.
And when we slipped into the aisle
To let a seatmate out
I nearly dropped my bottom jaw,
And I have not a doubt
That she unfolded six feet plus
(Maybe seven with her heels)
From her own choice of middle seat.
First timers don’t choose deals!
Another time a lady
Who was all of eighty-four
Related quite a story
As postmistress near a shore.
One day she read a letter
From a girl in far Japan
Who’d even lost her father
In the battle of Saipan.
The girl was quite belligerent,
But even still she penned
That she would like to write someone
Who’d choose to be her friend.
Pretending to be thirteen years
The lady wrote a letter,
And for a year she played the part
Before the girl knew better.
And in response the girl wrote back,
‘I truly need a mother.’
And that is when the two became
So close to one another.
The lady even helped the girl
Obtain an education
And visited her in Japan
With love and affirmation.
Another time I sat beside
A normal-looking guy
Who really made that midnight flight
A drama in the sky.
It seems he wanted water,
And he couldn’t wait awhile.
Of course another man and I
Moved out into the aisle
So he could go in search of some.
He put in a request
And then returned back to his seat.
And yet he seemed distressed
Because a drink did not appear.
I then began to see
That he would soon embark upon
A water-searching spree.
Refusing that I move again
He climbed up on his seat,
And yes, he stepped right over me
With steady balanced feet.
I shook my head in disbelief;
Could this all be a dream?
But wait, he had come back again
Devising a new scheme
For now he stood with cup in hand.
Would I survive this time?
In self-defense I simply said,
‘I’ll hold it while you climb.’
I gripped the glass and closed my eyes;
His repeat spelled success.
I then returned his precious cup
Relieved I must confess.
So as you see, a journey
Holds adventure and surprise.
Just listen to this secret;
I think that you’d be wise
To keep your goal in focused view
And try not to delay.
But as a traveler, live your journey;
Make good memories on the way!"
Note: Although the opening stanzas related to telling a child stories are fictitious, the related incidents are nonfiction. They are the author’s personal experiences.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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