The kids under five ooh and ahh
As the plane drops down
Jumps up, and drops again.
The mom with the kids in row 34
Explains turbulence.
At O’Hare terminal 3 gate 24c
I swore, I will mask fear
At terminal 4, gate 24 I promised
not to make eye contact
Or commit any acts of speech
until we swoop sideways over the last vista
and pounce on a tarp.
We are still up in the air in our silences
It’s too early to make new friends
but when I am thinking about death
I need the good will of strangers the most.
If only to ask, Do you share my fear?
