Poem
We’re sitting alone in the back of the plane,
three rows behind an emergency exit.
The flight attendant offers me
headphones. My lover
offers me raspberry gum,
a notebook and a sleeping pill. Sleep
she says and opens her book.
2.
During my last therapy session
the doctor quotes John Lennon
and takes my hand, everything
is clear. He tells me
to be happy. He gives me the office
phone number. He makes sure I have it
in my pocket
before I shut the door behind me.
3.
Will you ever go back? my mother asks
when I tell her I love
a woman.
4.
The voice in the song is quiet, weaker
than the accompanying piano.
When she comes home, my lover will ask
what was it like?
5.
As we taxi to the runway
we are making a list of the things we’ve seen:
30 elephants,
3 car accidents, one meteor shower,
one dying person, two dead
people, 4 oceans,
the color of blood on a white
sheet, too many lovers.
6.
My mother’s hand is pushing away
her glass of wine, fingertip to stem. She is waiting
for me to catch it.
7.
We’re flying back to the states
after eighteen days
in South Africa. Tucked tightly
under the seat in front of me is a plastic bag
full of handmade scarves
and beaded necklaces.
They will keep them she says
as we fold the gifts – necklace inside
scarf, wrapped and placed on top of each other.
8.
Will you ever go back?
9.
The captain tells us we will be landing soon.
The cabin is dark, a baby crying
from the front rows. Almost my lover says next to me
and puts her hand on my leg.
street lights and black roofs, the tall red
beacons outside the airport. Yes I say
and lean against the window.
Yes I say, and she takes her hand away.
