Airless Travel

The suitcase strains
over-packed with stuff.
I tug it behind me
guide it left and right
and parade
down the concourse.

Gate 44, Flight 6534 to Houston
Gate 45, Flight 720 to Los Angeles
Gate 46, Flight 9021 to Atlanta

Gate 57, Flight 812 to Miami.

Travelers heaped on conjoined chairs
faces buried in books, briefcases, and feedbags.

Merging left into the anxious pulse
I clutch the chit and photo ID
and join the
waiting-line dance.

I nudge my wheeled partner forward,
downshift into numb wait.
Picture palm tree tresses pulled by the breeze,
grind into neutral.
Feel humid heat seep deep into my exposed limbs,
idle my engine.

Simultaneously here and there
And in fact
neither
here nor there.

April 28, 2009