Turbulence

In the belly of this huge beast, 

I look out, 

The heavens spread across as far as the eye can see, 

The clouds streaming along in ridges, 

The sun setting in the background, 

The metal engine roaring louder than the music blaring into my ears. 

I'm traveling alone, 

A book in hand, 

Little to worry about, 

Little to lose. 

All of a sudden, 

My flight bumps up and down, 

The bumping does not stop, 

The metal cage rattling, 

For a brief moment, 

I tell myself, 

Fuck, 

Well, 

If I'm going to meet my maker today, 

At least I'm dressed well for the occasion, 

First impressions matter. 

The old dude next to me, 

Grasps on to the seat in front of him, 

I notice him mumbling a prayer, 

The seatbelt sign is switched on all of a sudden, 

And I say again, 

Fuck, 

This time a little louder, 

The bearded dude stares a bit, 

Probably judging me for my profane language. 

But then I go quiet, 

He goes back to his prayers, 

This time his hand crossed.

I noticed him before the flight took off, 

He was showing pictures of his little daughter, 

To the man next to him, 

He then sends a selfie to his wife, 

And when she doesn't respond, 

He calls her, 

Tells her that he loves her and to pray for his safe return. 

It all seemed, 

Very sweet, 

His brows now crunched, 

His face tense, 

While I sit here writing a poem about how

I am ready to meet my maker, 

I wonder how it feels, 

To fear losing your life,

Not because you're afraid of death, 

But because you're afraid of what you will leave behind here.