This poem by Fergus evocatively captures a moment of his life that I'm sure he'll never forget - the title will give you a pretty strong hint!
First Solo
The dried-up grass baking in the midsummer sun,
Sweaty palms grip the control column.
Feet meet with rudder pedals,
heart pounding steadily.
A single handshake signs me away.
Engine roaring to life, the world goes quiet.
Thrown into my seat, the wheels fall away from the green patchwork.
Each road a thread, each river stitched in blue,
Fields that are the size of gold ingots scorching in a summer blaze.
The engine is humming with freedom so strong and true.
Alone at last, no voice to guide my ear,
Silence and peace side by side.
The sky, so vast yet so close.
The horizon grows steady,
The runway grows near.
Hands firm now, no trace of fear.
Rubber meets earth with a gentle embrace,
A smile begins to streak across my face.
Alone I left, alone I came home,
The first of many skies to conquer.
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