Zelda's Inferno writing exercise: write about flying dreams.
I have never had a dream where I sprouted wings and I have never had a dream where I tried to take off and wasn't able.
But sometimes in my flying dreams I have to run and jump many times, figure out the exactly right angle, before I manage to stick in the air
like diving into a pool but in reverse, diving upward
I remember jumping off the high dive as a kid, feet first, not brave enough to try diving head-first until I was in my 20s. Flying needs that same courage, to commit to the air without hesitation. Angels, it is said, can fly because they take themselves lightly; Superman can fly because he is not of this world; but we mortals can fly only when we trust that we can. And this is why the skies are empty: we lack the faith to fly.