Those Who Live in Grass Houses

Tourist Class

Tourist Class

Like sardines in a baitball
preparing for death in the can
air travellers in the metal tube
shuffle and stretch in the aisle
stashing, stacking the spaces
and sliding, packing in seats
bodies retracted into armoured
defences, silenced in hush
and muttering under breath
readied for the slingshot hours
when earth falls away beneath
and life constricts into limits
bounded by elbows of touch
unrequested or desired
thought and reason squashed
into this hollow existence
endurance the only intent.

Scant relief in the vision of sky
folded flat meals on a tray
jaded old movies squawking
as the hum of the engines
rumble to keep you aware
another minute flown toward
release from the press and
racehorse blinkers unwound
only for the smooth patter
of captain’s announcement
confidence unwarranted
to scrape into your treasured
invincibility so carefully
nurtured to hold on to alone.

Return to earth crescendo
a sudden whoosh of arrival
and freedom beckons in the rush
to forget until flying again.


Line count: 35
Free verse
For PromptMaster! Week 4 Task Prompt
Prompt: Using onomatopoeia, write a poem describing a crowded event. Make at least one sound jarring.