Just Going Home

Posted by layrite 35 views Flight 9J-992 To Lagos, Poetry

Jun 222012

Poet’s note (First) : I really don’t know if this will pass for a poem (I sure hope it does *winks*). I just had a story to tell and it came out this way and I had no choice in the matter. I just hope that whoever gets to read this will take something away from it so that it wouldn’t be a waste of her three minutes. My sincere apology if you feel short-changed after reading this.

JUST GOING HOME

‘Dana 8080, what’s your status over?’

The American voice came at last

‘The fire is progressing

I repeat we are still on fire. Over!’

‘Can you make it here?

We are prepared for Emergency Landing. Over!’

‘I do not think so

We might have to crash land somewhere

But we ll try our best. Over!’

‘You are just 25 miles out

Try to haul your ass here, cap’

‘As you wish, ma’am. Out’

—-

Few seconds later

‘May day, May day

We are losing our second engine

We will crash any moment

I repeat we will crash!’

‘I read you, Dana 8080

I have your coordinate

God!’

‘That’s damn right! Out!’

‘Patch me through, Rushdie’

(To his Indian deputy)

‘Ladies and gentlemen

This is your captain again

We ve tried everything we know

To curtail the fire you re all aware

Is bent on pulling us down

I’m afraid

We don’t know enough.

I’m supposed to assure you

And give you false hope

Folks, I think this might be it.

(Pause)

I have given distress signal to the tower

Our situation is grim

A burning aircraft

Over a crowded city

16 miles from airport

Nothing grimmer, people.

Any moment from now

(He heavily sighed)

We are going down

It may be on a residential building

Or into a swamp

But it is certain this plane

Might not get us to safety.

Fasten your seatbelt, if you still have one

Listen to the beautiful ladies in white.

And, if you believe in God

You might want to call Him now

And it’s all good if you don’t.

Good luck to …’

‘We are losing altitude, captain.’

His face, expressionless and heavenward.

She was going to get married

Spend the honeymoon in Paris

Visit museum and dance on the street

‘We are all going to die, aren’t we?’

She didn’t hear herself ask.

With a smile on his face

Couples of drops on his cheek

In a thick Indonesian accent

He answered her,

‘Pray, we are all going home!’

—-

Couple of seconds later

Dana 8080, over!

(static)

Captain, are you there?’

(static)

‘Are you with me

Say something, Landermann!’

Her colleagues knew the answer

In her brain, the answer was there too

Probably buried somewhere Mr Freud would know

But also on her screen it was

The small bird now a spiral effect;

Her captain and his 153 contingent

Of nations, creed and faiths

Are indiscriminately homeward.

Poet’s note (Second): I have next to zero knowledge about aviation (I have never been on a plane before). So if any detail in this largely fictional work is accurate then it is most likely an honest mistake (or a product of watching too many violent movies). So, don’t quote me (unless you will pay me *winks*)

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layrite @layrite

Knows that the road to perfection may be bumpy, and the journey to success and stardom difficult but the desire to become the very best, win all the available awards, and make all the monies will never wane. As my dad always says, there is always room for improvement. That I believe.

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