Image: Heathrow and the plane to take us to Austin
08.04.26: 36-8) Departure day, taxi arrives and we’re away
A few roadworks, but soon we’re through. Drop of at Terminal 2
Where my flight will start, looks real state of the art
Soon booked in. through customs to find I’d to leave my shampoo behind
Bit of a drag, it was in the wrong bag
Something else made me blue, I’d forgotten my laundry stuff too
37-9) Find out where I need to be, gate A3
Then breakfast to be had, for this travelling lad
Crayfish and rocket sandwich and coffee, just right
Not too filling for the flight
Then a thought, text home with a progress report
The rest before the flight, plenty of time
And if I get bored I can always compose a rhyme
38-10) Rest a while, relax and smile.
Facebook message to say “I’m on my way”
Then departure gate found
Now get my stuff stored in my bag until time to board
39-11) To the departure gate, I thought “by heck, it seems like a long trek”.
There at last, son time to board, hand baggage stored
Plane being refueled, now it seems we’re all on board
Sat waiting, the lights went out, terminal plug had fallen out
Didn’t wait in vain, auxiliary power and they’re on again
Soon all aboard, doors closed
Waiting for safety instructions and when they’re done, away we’ll run
To the runway we go, next stop Heathrow
40-12) Bad news there’s a delay, pilot goes on to say,
“Heathrow’s busy at this time of day” and so we know
It’ll be 07:30 before we go. So there could be some doubt
Will my suitcase will make it out
To Austin, will it be, there at the same time as me
41-13) 07:30 on the dot, we left our parking slot
Safety instructions on the go, we’re rolling slow
Then we heard the engine roar, taking off at 07:44
Through the sky we went, 08:05 began our descent
When we land we may find, our landing time we’re not far behind
Now, no more standing, it’s cabin crew take seats for landing
Wheels down, slight shaking, we land pilot starts braking
To the terminal to disembark
Hoping things go right and my suitcase is on the next flight
And I smile as I look and find, we’re only a few minutes behind
42-14) Disembarked and made my way, to the multi-faith room to pray
Then phone home so family is knowing how things are going
Then had a thought, message my friends with a progress report
That done, now relax, looking at Heathrow bathed in sun
43-15) Relaxing done, departure board says Gate C61
To it I’m bound, its found. Boarding in progress, no distress
Wait till my group is called, make my way, it’s a long way
Eventually we’re there, board, find our seats
Wait, after a while we’re in the air
There was a delay, of 20 minutes but now we’re on our way
And I’m thinking as Westwards we go
I hope my suitcase is in the hold below.
44-16) First meal of the flight tasted alright
Two choices, I had the meat, chicken, went down a treat
Followed by coffee, hot and black, flight on track
And it’s estimated we could be, arriving just after three
45-17) Just over 4 hours in flight and it’s going alright
Entertainment system classic selection on the go
Close my eyes and let the emotions flow
Thinking of when I was on community radio
Saying whether folk were rich or brassic*
I would play their favourite classic
From Chamber Music by Bach, to the Ascending of the Lark
Each piece played I find
Has a special place in the archives of my mind
Every score brings memories to the fore
So I’ll carry on and listen to more
*Brassic: Cockney Rhyming slang for short of money (Brassic Lint – Skint)
46-18) Just over half way watch and phone set to Texas time
Still Westward going, still got the music flowing
This time from the movies, Lord of the Rings
Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, Schindler’s List And others not to be missed
An’ I’m in the plane, lost in music again
47-19) Canada below, over 3 hours to go. Time seems to be passin’ slow
Got up had a walk round. Looked through the window to the ground
Find a way to keep the boredom at bay
An’ think how grand, it’ll be when we land
48-20) Cabin lights just come on an’ I feel
It may be time for an in-flight meal
No, it was a thought in vain, I went for a stroll and they went off again
But no complainin’, just over 2.5 hours in flight remainin’
49-21) Last meal of the flight, tasted alright
Should keep me goin’ till later tonight
We’ll see, it’ll depend where I happen to be
We’re estimated to land just after 3
An’ it’s almost 2, all I really want to do
Is land, hoping my suitcase made it too
Get to the motel with my gear, tell Jojo I’m here
An’ hopefully to our delight, take in an open mic tonight
50-22) Texas below, down we go, No complainin’ 25 Minutes remainin’
Should be grand, arrivin’ 20 minutes earlier than planned
Descent started, can’t wait till we land
Getting near, landing instructions comin’ through clear
Almost there, less than 20 minutes in the air
Once again, no more standing “Cabin Crew prepare for landing”
Still downward bound, through the clouds I can see the ground
No stoppin’, I can feel the plane droppin’
Can see traffic on the interstate below, downwards we go
That’s it we’re down in the afternoon sun
This year’s poetry adventure has begun
