Low Flight

Pure genius! To see with perfect eye
that lift and power are parts and not the whole,
but coupled with the problem of control;
elusive stable poise accomplished by
a constant compensation on the fly;
to recognize a turn's no simple goal,
but cycle-like a three-dimension roll;
and so become the ones to claim the sky.

A keen December day. The six men, staunch
in confidence of science and skill; in hope,
still trust the brothers' vision will be true.
They load the Flier on the railway launch;
set engine screeming, cut restraining rope,
create the moment when a man first flew.