How to ride a plane

1. You will not find homeless people
in the airport.
If you are not sprinting to your gate
you are sitting for no less
than an hour and a half
or a day.

They took your water away,
but not mine --
mine is buried in my carry-on
and I just lucked out at security.

There is a metaphor for life
at airport security.

The absurdity of traveling at
35,000 feet crosses every mind
jostled by turbulence
just for passing through a cloud.
Flying could be the worst decision
you ever made.

They used to smoke cigarettes on planes.
Just imagine.

There is as much technology
in the window separating you
from the enormous clouds
than there is in the clouds themselves
or your eyes, even.

You're breathing, after all
and you're not impressed by that.
You're reading a book.

These passengers are probably
not too different from yourself.
The fact that they are flying
says a lot.  On a plane, a bit more.
A few questions will unlock smiles and gently
murder Time without anyone noticing.

2. Short flights will only provide drinks
and you will have to pay for the alcoholic ones.
Best not to accept credit card offers
even if the 40 thousand free frequent flier miles sound enticing.
Few human being can manage a credit card responsibly.

Don't forget to pray before and
give thanks after a flight.
Science and engineering can't take
all the credit.  Some nano-
fraction of that happy landing
was out of reach of science, engineering
and their instruments.  Call this extra
the Remainder if you prefer not to use
words with religious connotations.

Feel free to clap at the end,
once you are sure the plane is safely
landed on Earth.  Even if no one else claps.
Because not even on a plane
should the joy of getting where you got
be contained.