waiting for the day (airtight)

I breathe
from my O2 tank

I hear the air
as it hisses past
a valve

feel it
inside
my throat

a welcome stranger

out here
the night
is still
is black

the night
is forever

everywhere

but
I trust
in my airtight suit
I trust
in every seal and join

I trust
every god
back on earth
who made it

push the button
for a little
extra thrust

steady

I float
with the hull
beside me

this ship
is my home
my life

this ship
is my
safekeeping

and I trust
that it will stay intact
I trust it
every weld

faith
surrounded by the night
is a little like
old time
religion

but what else
am I to do

I have a job
just like anyone
else

and I know the night
is hungry

enough
to want to touch me

take me

hold me

keep me

.
.
.

airless
airtight

there is so little
that comes
in between

I believe
in my ship
yes I do

I believe
in my spacesuit

and I believe
that the god
who made all my
important things
is down there

down
upon the earth
looking up

and that he loves me

he speaks
my name

and I hear him
crackle
through the radio

the voice
is in my head
talking quietly
again

I hear
my oxygen
flip a valve

flip a valve
right over

and I breathe

and hear his voice
telling me
that he believes
in me

making me believe
I can do
my job
in safety

and he’ll be waiting

the day
that I
come down

~