Clouds

The radiant sun cascading into the sea

Bows and flows of angel hair

And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere

I've looked at clouds that way

Flying beneath a wild raging storm

But now they only block the sun

They rain and snow on everyone
So many things I would have done

But clouds got in my way

Coming out to the other side

I've looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down and still somehow

Caverns of cumulous

It's cloud's illusions I recall
I really don't know clouds at all

The taste of deoxygenated blood is slowly leaving my mouth as the troubles of the tumultous preceding three weeks slowly dwindle to the calm of a passing storm, and my heart has returned to my chest. I have not felt like reading anything, my 5km jogs at the gym have been laboured and I have even considered giving up cycling as my rear tyre has been running flat or exploding ominously every time I set out for my opportunity-based jaunt down to Kijal and back to vibrant Kampong Chabang.

FSO Bunga Kertas

For three weeks, the time frame required for the authorities to peruse my submissions to upgrade my humble CPL to an Air Transport Pilot's License, I have been agonising over whether it was going well. I was short on some paperwork, and I did receive a call over that singular missing document, to which I pleaded guilty. I suppose the staff at the department did go out of their way, in particular one kind lady who remembered me from my Civil Pilot's License application in 2010, and she hunted down the department's copy to complete my recent submission.

Bekok C with her distinctive flare stack

Therefore, upon getting the news that my readied ATPL was waiting to be taken home, even a stormy ride out to the rigs seemed like a cheerfully lit morning sortie amidst visiting cherubs from heaven. I will not be made an aircraft captain now, especially not when I am still pinned to the opinion that my handling is as capricious as Bambi upon finding the meadow, but holding this little booklet says that the legal hurdle to making command is out of the way, condescending views notwithstanding.

A container ship stirring up a multi-coloured wake

For that I thank my Creator, who keeps His blessings showering upon me. I will keep my word. Or at least as much of it as I can muster.

On deck Bekok Alpha looking out at Bekok Charlie

But He too, must keep His, and speed up the arrival of the new car before this old 1992 Joey runs up livery costs that ruin me.

Dulang Bravo and FSO Putri Dulang

Ok, forgive me for inverting prophet Samuel's response. You win, always.