"Tarmac Boy"
(c)2010 Bob Atkinson
Wasn't far at the time
just down the road
over to the airport
this boy would go
to oogle at the machines
that supermen flew
above the heads
of me and you
"hello Mister is that yours?
the pretty red Bellanca there
no it's not? you're selling it?
something wish I could sit in
does it go fast?
do the wheels come up?
it's not like those
other flying trucks"
wander here
wander there
around the corner
to see more
down the tarmac
as the planes
taxi to the runway
and fly away
up and back
here and there
I walk around
without a care
mouth open wide
eyes too
just something
I wanted to do
a truck comes by
orange light flashing
stops to chat
an important man
in charge of all
these wide spaces
where planes are parked
awaiting pilots
"how old are you kid?"
my hero says
"eleven sir
why do you care?"
"well kid this is an airport
where planes fly and taxi 'round
really dangerous
for one so young"
"Sir, is that a B25?
I saw one on TV
flew Doolittle's Raid"
"Yes son and that one too
but walking around an airport
is something one so young
shouldn't do
you should bring next time
your father or uncle
or some other grown-up
fellow or cousin"
"thank you Sir"
I said to him
and began to wander on
but, I didn't travel fast
as there was more to see
on my way toward the gate
all this fun for free
