A Measured Ascent

About this piece

Four U.S. Air Force jets bank in tight formation, their overlapping wings creating a repeated angular pattern against the blue sky. Sunlight flashes across white surfaces and red trim, while a broad trail of smoke softens the precision of the aircraft into an airy wake.

The story

On January 2, the new year opens onto a sky crossed by four closely held forms. Sunlight catches each wing in turn, a bright rhythm passing through the formation. White smoke stretches behind them, loosening into wisps as the aircraft press forward. For this instant, speed resolves into order, and the blue around them seems spacious enough to hold it.