The Blue Angels in a V formation
Awaiting the Blue Angels
In mild sun, we gaze at the horizon --
or where it might be, behind the poplars.
A neighbor looks down at his phone,
sharing updates from the local news.
Planes flying in formation
loop over Philadelphia, tribute
to today's true heroes: those in blue
masks and hospital gowns.
In our suburban bowl, we count
minutes, make small talk from across
the entrance road to our complex. Families
carefully separated to keep COVID
at bay. A robin hops
across lime grass, onto the sidewalk
six feet ahead of us. A hawk makes
lazy circles in the sky. At last,
we hear a distant roar
like sky-bent trucks, zooming
towards my son, his amber eyes
cast heavenward.
- April 28, 2020
If you'd like to see what the Blue Angels looked like flying over Philly, for those who could see them, a local CBS News station provided lots of video: Coronavirus Latest: Blue Angels, Thunderbirds Perform Soaring Salute For Health Care Workers Across Philadelphia Region
