When you left
to go down the aisle
I wondered if you'd notice
the chocolate I put
on your armrest
We hadn't spoken a word
the entire flight
and you pretended
I wasn't there
despite gazing past me
to view the clouds
and spilling cranberry juice
all over me,
repeatedly
It was hard to remember
why either of us
had booked this route
in particular
We were, of course,
going to the
same
destination
(I had told you that 20 years ago)
but you wanted
to skip the journey
with me
until every other flight
was sold out
On this one, in particular,
you began with lost luggage
and empty duffel bag
filled with straw that
the airline gave you
to trick you
into thinking
you had
everything
Without a word
at the luggage carousel
I lifted your bags
pretending they were
filled with precious rocks
and you wheeled them away
chuffed
at your strength
to go down the aisle
I wondered if you'd notice
the chocolate I put
on your armrest
We hadn't spoken a word
the entire flight
and you pretended
I wasn't there
despite gazing past me
to view the clouds
and spilling cranberry juice
all over me,
repeatedly
It was hard to remember
why either of us
had booked this route
in particular
We were, of course,
going to the
same
destination
(I had told you that 20 years ago)
but you wanted
to skip the journey
with me
until every other flight
was sold out
On this one, in particular,
you began with lost luggage
and empty duffel bag
filled with straw that
the airline gave you
to trick you
into thinking
you had
everything
Without a word
at the luggage carousel
I lifted your bags
pretending they were
filled with precious rocks
and you wheeled them away
chuffed
at your strength
