Paper Planes

Some of my brothers take to the sky, while some fall. Some seem to go on and on, with the wind beneath their wings, while others end up flying backwards.

We are all seemingly similar, yet vastly different. Can anyone predict our flight course? Maybe. Maybe not. But still we try.

To take to the sky. To soar like the brothers before us. To go on and on, reaching Neverland.

---

Paper plane,
Fly away
And take my dreams with you
To where you want to land

Paper plane,
Don't forget
Where you came from
And the people you left behind

- Jan

I sat by the window, looking out at the yard. The weather was great to be out playing. The sun was shining, with no rain clouds in sight. Three kids were out playing football in the yard. They were laughing and running, chasing each other round and round to no end.

Sigh.

Youth. When did age overtake me? I feel every joint in my body aching, and the thought of running around and kicking a ball juvenile and unnecessary. Get a job! Get married and have kids!

And then a shout distracted my thoughts.

---

“John! Why aren’t you out playing with your friends?”

“They’re just kicking a ball. I’m too old to be running around pointlessly.”

“They’re your classmates, and you’re ten for goodness sake! Stop talking like that and go play.”

---

Sigh. Maybe I grew up too soon. Where did my childhood go?

Oh dear flower,

When did you bloom? I have lived my whole life in this room, and yet I never noticed you by the window. Oh how beautiful you have bloomed, with your petals so brightly coloured. How did you grow without me realizing your beauty, and how is it that you crept up to this height without awareness? I hope you live forever, through sunshine and rain, and continue to brighten up my every day.

---

Oh dear flower,

When did you wither? It was not too long ago, when I saw your petals so brightly coloured. What made you this way? Did the weather make you waste away? Was it because I did not pay you enough attention? Oh dear flower, I do miss you oh so much. But I know that my life was better because you were once a part of it.