my father used to say that if he were to be reincarnated, he'd like to come back as a hawk or eagle. an active pilot for most of his life, my dad - an often distant man - delighted in introducing me to flying, soaring in particular. our many hours spent flying gliders together represented the one thing we had in common, and formed a strong bond between us that otherwise may never have materialized... my dad's been gone for over a decade now, and i haven't seen the inside of a cockpit for even longer, but when father's day rolls around, that is where my heart is - imagining him flying formation with the hawks he so admired, and keeping an eye on me as i try clumsily to keep up in my sailplane... the poem i wrote to accompany my drawing sums it up: Tribute Would-be eagle You spent much of your terrestrial life Striving to slip its surly bonds Unable to express yourself As one of the sullen-footed earth-bound You reached out, tacitly Imparted to me through nature and nurture The unquenchable thirst to be free Unbounded in all dimensions All too briefly We rejoiced in this single common bond Shared in the exhilarating pursuit of the elusive The quest of all who cherish this life Truly to live it Surely now While I serve out my remaining indenture to gravity You, who have already earned your freedom Soar with gossamer wings On air forever rising Casting all the while your vigilant eagle's eye my way As only a father can Whose son is clumsily learning to fly _______________________________________________ artwork notes: drawn entirely free-hand in powerpoint (see tutorial in 'artist input' section of my home page for insight into the techniques i use)... _______________________________________________ ...thanks for viewing/reading, and a happy father's day to all!