Sharp stones bite the creased fuselage
Wingtip tears on jagged ridge
Nose cone crumpled, tail bent low
Flight path ends on cold ground
Paper wings don't need a runway
Just a breath and open sky
Gravity pulls heavy tonight
But we still fold and throw
Porch light flickers, moths circle
Mother calls through screen door
Homework waits on kitchen table
Bedtime looms in thirty minutes
Paper wings don't need a runway
Just a breath and open sky
Gravity pulls heavy tonight
But we still fold and throw
Fingers numb from folding edges
Thumbprint smudges on the tail
Seven tries to get it right
Eighth one soared then crashed hard
Paper wings don't need a runway
Just a breath and open sky
Gravity pulls heavy tonight
But we still fold and throw
Tomorrow brings fresh printer paper
New creases, sharper points
Dawn will scrape the driveway clean
But tonight the wings stay tangled
Bike tires hum on wet pavement
Radio plays somewhere distant
Stars prick holes in navy cloth
We'll fly better versions tomorrow
Paper wings don't need a runway
Just a breath and open sky
Gravity pulls heavy tonight
But we still fold and throw
We still fold and throw
Gravel keeps the broken fleet
Morning brings new paper sheets