Today my sister reminds me
of our family trip to Florida
terrible turbulence
just days past a hurricane
her and I
middle and window
bulkhead seats
the man in the aisle
wore a suit
would not look at us
the plane stumbled,
rose, stumbled
the whole plane collectively terrified
of—
well you can’t say it
Our parents 38 rows back
way far back to be any damn good
back in the day when smoking is allowed
back in the back
Dad fighting fear with fire
like the whole plane wasn’t breathing it in
She 12, me 20 and winging it
telling her it was going to be okay
that we weren’t going to—
She tells me that I held her hand
dispensed advice
No need to worry.
If you’re gonna go, you’re gonna go.
If you’re not, you’re not.
With mock outrage
It wasn’t comforting at all, she says.
I’m so sorry! I laugh
as we stumble around the PACU
walking off the gas
holding tight to each other.
(With thanks to Robert Fleming, whose excellent writing workshop spawned this poem!)
INSTANT NOODLES 