Fortyfive Weather Balloons Poem by Tor Magnor Solvang

A truck driver named Larry, bold and bright,
Had a dream that took flight, a funny sight.
A lawn chair, balloons, forty and five,
He thought he'd gently rise, just to thrive.

But up he shot fast, beyond the trees,
Higher than birds, a chilly breeze.
Sixteen thousand feet, the air so thin,
His simple picnic, a different spin.

LAX below, a metal bird flew,
'A man in a chair, ' the pilot knew.
'With a gun, it seems, floating by, '
The radio crackled, way up high.

He shot some balloons, a careful aim,
To lower himself, playing a risky game.
Back to the ground, safe and sound,
A legend was born, all around.

A story so strange, a truth so wild,
A dream turned to daring, like a free child.
A lawn chair, balloons, and one brave man,
A tale they will tell, again and again.

T.M.Solvang