click click clicking wheel
slightly cracked in Paris
60th birthday
cadence of comfort
travelling companion
through thresholds:
lonely airports
moving sidewalk
brew pub courageousness
waiting now at Midway.
Daughter’s gate
flight delayed
feet propped on suitcase —
everyone searching for
something ~ someone
everyone thinking of someone ~ something—
I think of the fuselage sunset
still in my eyes (how clear
the air after Irma)
search for my daughter
the departing crowd.
We embrace like Soapberry bugs
reticent to let go —
knowing that in 3 days time
we will be back here
these airport gates
clinging to end moments.
We live in separate cities
~ Tampa/ Pittsburgh ~
me, in self exile
she, in birthplace loyalty.
As we walk towards the terminal
the wheel clicks loudly –like me
slightly broken, yet still able to roll
This article appears in Jan 26 – Feb 2, 2017.
