LGW-ATH

It happened like this, or almost.—Tomas Tranströmer                          

i.

A cloud’s

The seat you chose

—it won’t precipitate.

ii.

Those scissors

Security took from you, were

Meant for shortening time.

iii.

Soft music

In departure halls

—a flight didn’t happen.

iv.

You measure

Distance in million clouds

Not thousand miles.

v.

Brace, brace!

Post-landing turbulence

—as promised.

vi.

Do keep

Your seat-belt fastened,

Dreams much the same.

vii.

Vacate

This shell in case of

No emergency.

viii.

Fast asleep

Your wings negate

A waking fall.

ix.

Store away

That pounding heart; it blocks

The over-wing exit.

x.

Clouds cast

Shadows on the ground

—herself on them?

xi.

She only

Flies at night, at times

She stays afloat.

xii.

Your flight

Missed the runway, it

Landed in her palm.

xiii.

Such luck:

Lost no luggage, found

No destination.