THE DREADED AIRPLANE

I shut my eyes and my hands grip the seat
And rhythm comes from my erratic heartbeat
And only one mantra, in my head, I repeat
‘Flying is so simple, not at all a feat.’
The whirr of the engine sets my heart racing
My eyes refuse to peer down the window casing
I urge my heart to look at the beautiful sight
The heart retorts, “It would look better from a lesser height.”
As the plane rises my heart lurches with fear
I left my stomach way down there.
The air hostesses walk about and I stare
How can they walk around with so little care?
As the flight continues my ears leave me too
I grab for it but the seat belts stop me and there is nothing I can do.
A well-meaning air hostess thrusts food under my nose
“My stomach’s not with me” so saying my eyes close.
My eyes next open when blood rushes into my ears
We are going down! I feel like bursting into tears.
As I emerge from the airport, I say, “Flying is no pain”
My heart whispers, “I wouldn’t want to do it again.”