Travelling Thoughts

Massive queues at check-in desk

All armed, one hopes, with COVID test

Eager children climb on cases

Labelled to exotic places.

 

Passengers sport scarf and coat

As springtime sunshine seems remote

Given Brussels April snows

Many still pack winter clothes!

 

The Gates fill up; long chats on ’phone

With fond farewells, each to his own.

I gaze at those who’ll share my flight

Who will my partners be tonight?

 

Random souls with disparate aim

Through Europe, Middle East, Bahrain

Touch down at Doha’s sand-blown shore:

Upmarket, bright-lit shopping mall.

 

Time’s on the wing, the phrase is apt;

 Our energy by heat is sapped

A painless check-in, clockwork staff;

On board we follow new flight path.

 

More food, lights dimmed, we try to doze

Encased in blankets head to toes,

With on-screen entertainment vast

The lonely night time hours are passed.

 

Crossing time-zones takes its toll

Enjoying mini-naps my goal

 As I meditate in silver bird

How high-flown ideals are absurd…

 

How things seem distant when aloft

How life below, so tempest-tossed

Appears to me from bird’s eye view

A mass of images untrue.

(c) Poet in the woods 2022