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Brace For Impact

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I'd finished work early so I went, to pick the kids up from school I thought this time tomorrow, we'll all be bathing in the pool We were travelling tonight on a family vacation to Spain I put the luggage in the car and we headed off down the lane. We got to the airport early and checked in our suitcases The kids were all excited with big smiles on their faces My wife too was smiling and ready, for a break in the sun Two weeks of swimming, eating ,drinking and having fun. We went through passport control and then through security Then bought a few things at the shop in the large duty free Our flight was announced and we headed for gate seven The kids were on a high; they were in seventh heaven. We walked across the tarmac and then boarded our flight Sat the kids down and secured, their seat belts nice and tight I too sat down and relaxed and thought I'd read my book Twenty minutes later the engines started, and off we took. We were airborne for about three hours and everything was going well But unknown to me and the other passengers, we were heading for hell There was a loud bang and then an explosion on the starboard side Then both engines on the port side cut out, and we started to glide. There were screams and panic and children started to cry My daughter through tears said, " daddy are we going to die?" The cabin crew were calm and tried to reassure everyone But by the looks on their faces, didn't know what was going on. I looked about at the other passengers and could sense their fear Then the captain announced a message that we dreaded to hear " Brace for impact, I'm going to try and land the plane on the sea" And I vowed if I survived this there would be no more flying for me. There was a loud thud and a splash as we hit the dark waters My first thoughts were to save my wife and two daughters We were all in deep shock but were just happy to survive And I thought if we'd crashed on land, we wouldn't be alive. The overhead lockers had flung open and bags were flying around People were screaming and crying, I'd never heard such a sound Black and cold seawater was now pouring in, at an alarming rate Then the cabin crew stood up and were shouting, to evacuate. The captain said "put on your life jackets and head for your exit door " People were tripping over all the bags that were strewn on the floor The screaming and crying continued with both women and children And even I and all the other men were looking visibly shaken. By a miracle all the passengers got out, and were bobbing in the sea The flashing lights on their life jackets, reminded me of a Christmas tree The captain had managed to send a mayday and said help was on the way I was so grateful to God for saving my family, and then I started to pray. Within minutes two large boats, and a helicopter were on the scene If we hadn't landed on the water, I dreaded what could have been Every passenger was accounted for, we were given blankets and hot tea And in the light of dawn I watched the plane, disappear beneath the sea. Written 31st May 2022 For This Or That, Vol 12 Poetry Contest Sponsored By Edward Ibeh.

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Valsa George

Date: 7/4/2022 8:10:00 AM

Thus my prediction has come true..... ! Congratulations Tom on your first place win.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 7/4/2022 11:16:00 AM

Thank you very much for your return visit and congrats Valsa, much appreciated. Still in Turkey, moving on again tomorrow, hope you're well. Tom

Edward Ibeh

Date: 7/2/2022 5:12:00 PM

One of the finest narrative poems I've read in long time, Tom:-) Quite gripping! It reminds me of the awesome Clint Eastwood's movie, Sully. Heartiest congratulations on your top win my contest!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 7/2/2022 8:49:00 PM

Thank you very much Edward, I'm happy that you enjoyed it. It's Sully who inspired me, what an amazing man he was. His quick thinking averted a disaster for sure. Thanks too for hosting the contest. Greetings from Turkey. Tom

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 7/2/2022 10:37:00 AM

Congratulations on your win. What a write/story/picture. Did this happen to you??? It did to me. Take Care. Have a blessed weekend................

Tom Cunningham
Date: 7/2/2022 10:56:00 AM

Thank you very much for your congrats Paula, thankfully for me it was a fictional write but it must have been terryfying for you. Hope you too have a lovely weekend. Greetings from Turkey. Tom

Sotto Poet

Date: 7/2/2022 7:34:00 AM

Back with Congratulations on an impressive win, Tom. Have a great weekend.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 7/2/2022 10:18:00 AM

Thank you very much Lasaad for your congrats and return visit. Hope you too have a lovely weekend. Greetings from Turkey. Tom

Sotto Poet

Date: 6/6/2022 5:04:00 AM

You've done an excellent job, Tom. It baffles me how I miss reading this great poetry, but I'm glad to have caught up. What a delectable treat! Your poem reflects both your creativity and your ability to create a narrative. Even though I know this is fiction, you employ imagery so well that I began to wonder if it was based on any personal experiences.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/6/2022 6:21:00 AM

Thank you very much Lasaad , thankfully a work of fiction but it was Sully who landed an airliner on the Hudson River that inspired it. Experts make out a water landing would not end well but he proved them wrong. Tom

Bill Baker

Date: 6/5/2022 10:43:00 AM

WOW! Glad I decided to catch up on your poetry today, Tom. What a treat! Your gift of poetry and storytelling is well displayed in this poem. First person made it much better, the intensity, emotions and your heroic thoughts were all a pleasure to read. Thank you for continually blessings us with your thoughtful and dynamic stories through your poetry my friend. Cheers, Bill

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/6/2022 12:57:00 AM

Thank you very much Bill, I'm happy you enjoyed it. I do fly a lot and I always try and plan ahead about what I'd do if the worst happened, exit doors etc. Thankfully I've never encountered anything worse than a bumpy landing but crosswinds are often to blame. Tom

Joe Maverick

Date: 6/4/2022 1:08:00 PM

Gripping expressive; and good detail, I was Wondering halfway through if it was drawn From some personal experience, Tom.'

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/6/2022 12:53:00 AM

Thank you very much Joe, thankfully a fictional write although I've flown quite a lot and hope I never have to experience anything like that. Tom

Alexis Y.

Date: 6/4/2022 1:03:00 PM

WoW! Tom, This is a good entry for the contest theme. You are phenomenal story teller. It was like I was watching a movie, I did think of Sully as well. Excellent job. I’m sure I will see you on the winning list.Best wishes in the contest. Have a nice day and weekend:-) Alexis

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/6/2022 12:52:00 AM

Thank you very much Alexis, Sully proved the experts wrong that you can land a plane on water, all his years of flying were put to the test, an amazing man. Tom

Gary Radice

Date: 6/4/2022 3:35:00 AM

Tom, you mentioned Sully in a reply to Milt below and I have to say that when I saw the image that accomapnies your work that was a name that came straight into my head. (It was a great film IMO but I digress) There have been a couple of flights whereby I've sworn I'll never fly again - nothing like this though. I think if anything, this poem hammers home to me the themes of shock and fear of the unexpected and the fragility of life. Great work. Cheers - Gary

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/6/2022 12:48:00 AM

Thank you very much Gary, after watching that film I was so impressed that I wrote a poem in his honour called Sully, what a hero he turned out to be, it was a second miracle that they found the second damaged engine that confirmed Sully's version of events. But there's a saying that your more likely to be hit by a car than experience a plane crash. Tom

Eve Roper

Date: 6/3/2022 10:30:00 AM

Amazing write, Tom, your pen never stops flowing with your golden ink. I've been on a few flights, but always safe. Blessings friend

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/3/2022 1:34:00 PM

Thank you very much Eve, me too and like you thankfully no problems. Enjoy your weekend. Tom

Jan Allison

Date: 6/3/2022 1:00:00 AM

what a gripping tale indeed, makes me wonder why i ever get on a plane in the first place! Amazing story telling as ever Tom:-) hugs Jan xx

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/3/2022 1:54:00 AM

Thank you very much Jan, thankfully incidents like that are rare. Enjoy the jubilee weekend. Tom

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 6/3/2022 12:33:00 AM

Bravo Tom, your story is pretty accurate. I never got as far as having passengers prepare for a water landing as they call it (we call it a water crash), by putting on their life vests, but we did lose three engines over water on a night flight and it was pretty scary. The last engine on 747 went out but they were able to restart it and we landed safely. We were almost to HNL. Amazing write! Blessings xxoo

Connie Marcum Wong
Date: 6/3/2022 1:47:00 AM

I remember that flight which inspired a movie with Tom Hanks. Sully deserved his praise as a miracle occurred.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/3/2022 12:41:00 AM

Thank you very much Connie, that must have been a terryfying experience for you . Although I fly a lot have never experienced anything like that. It was the miracle on the Hudson that gave me the inspiration for this write. Have a lovely weekend. Tom

Sally Eslinger

Date: 6/2/2022 7:05:00 AM

You wrote me right in there with you, making me wonder about PTS. Counseling! A chilling write! A superb telling pen! xoxo sally

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/2/2022 7:20:00 AM

Thank you very much Sally, thankfully a work of fiction, I'm happy that you enjoyed it. Tom

Gershon Wolf

Date: 6/1/2022 8:38:00 PM

Tom, be it truth or fiction, you are the King of Storytellers! Long live the King! This is great! All-time fav for me! (Love that image of the sea lit up like a x-mas tree too). Bravo, Maestro, and thanx! ~ Gw

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/2/2022 7:19:00 AM

Thank you very much Gershon, air travel is much safer now. They say you've more chance of being knocked down by car. Tom

Indiana Shaw

Date: 6/1/2022 2:10:00 PM

Wowzers, Tom, I was glued to my seat reading this, gripping stuff, there was a totally sense of trepidation right to the end, I know it was only a poetic story, but the fearful emotions were there, and all done in good time that there were no sharks in the water to finish you all off, and everyone survived, phew . . . -o-

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/1/2022 3:31:00 PM

Thank you Indiana, I've flown many times and thankfully without any incidents. When I saw the contest title Brace for impact the idea jumped out at me and had to be about flying. Glad you enjoyed it. Tom

Panagiota Romios

Date: 6/1/2022 11:42:00 AM

What a fab write my friend and a Fave, More than well done! And in first person, too! Deserving of a FAV and a POTD. Appreciate your reminder of a hero. Cowards are aplenty, these days. Panagiota x

Sally Eslinger
Date: 6/2/2022 7:06:00 AM

I agree!

Panagiota Romios
Date: 6/1/2022 3:39:00 PM

Tom...I live in the USA and was aware it was Sulky.,, A hero to humanity. PR

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/1/2022 3:28:00 PM

Thank you very much Pangie and for the fave, it was Sully landing on the Hudson a few years ago that inspired me. Tom

Gordon Mcconnell

Date: 6/1/2022 10:54:00 AM

Super story so well told Tom, it was really captivating keeping us on the edge of our seats. Great rhyme and flow too, hope you've n as a great day, it's been lovely sunny day up to here, blessings always,Gordon

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/1/2022 3:27:00 PM

Thank you very much Gordon I'm happy you enjoyed it. Warming up nicely here, hope it is for you too. Tom

Heidi Sands

Date: 6/1/2022 5:58:00 AM

Wow! What a well written story Tom - captivating! :)

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/1/2022 6:19:00 AM

Thank you very much Heidi, Glad you enjoyed it, hope I haven't put you off flying. Hope your week is going well. Tom

Vijay Pandit

Date: 6/1/2022 4:06:00 AM

Excellent poem, Tom--true to life. Not many can write such a long poem in rhymes--enjoyed the story told in your signature style. On mark for the contest theme and a sure win for you.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/1/2022 4:28:00 AM

Thank you very much Vijay, I always have to juggle sentences around to get the rhyming right as you're somewhat limited, be easier to just write prose poetry. Thanks for the vote of confidence. Hope your week is going well. Tom

Demetrios Trifiatis

Date: 6/1/2022 3:17:00 AM

Very exciting story that I wish noone would go through! That all were saved makes it a miraculous event. Excellent narrative. Good luck my friend, Tom. A Fave. Blessings!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/1/2022 4:26:00 AM

Thank you very much Demetrios, me too, it must be every traveller's nightmare. Thanks too for the fave. Tom

Lisa Brown

Date: 6/1/2022 1:49:00 AM

Absolutely loved this, although has put me off flying to Spain this year!! I thought of Captain Sully straight away! Amazing to have survived and I'm glad the rescue boats and helicopter didn't take long!! Well done, another brilliant poem written :-)

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/1/2022 1:56:00 AM

Thank you very much Lisa, they say its near impossible to land on water but Sully made them rewrite the rules. It was his heroic act that gave me the inspiration. Tom

David Kavanagh

Date: 6/1/2022 12:04:00 AM

A very surreal situation we find ourselves in here Tom, I don’t think I’ve read a poem before about a passenger plane crash landing, and having young children with you, makes it all more difficult to assess, but poets do go where others don’t dare, and you done an excellent job here, getting us all down safely, a gripping read, cheers David

David Kavanagh
Date: 6/1/2022 1:45:00 AM

He was certainly the right man for the job, but of course they tried to hang him out to dry, what is it about these airlines, they’d rather blame human error over mechanical failure, we’re only numbers to them, me thinks.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/1/2022 12:12:00 AM

Thank you very much David, landing an airliner on water usually has tragic consequences but Sully defied all logic landing on the Hudson River some years ago. Miracle on the Hudson it was called and Tom Hanks played Captain Sullenburger, an amazing man, nerves of steel, glad you enjoyed it. Tom

Deb M

Date: 6/1/2022 12:00:00 AM

A great descriptive write Sir Tom…..but wish I hadn’t read it…..flying scares me! Fictional I assume……you didn’t really experience that did you?? Deb x

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/1/2022 12:08:00 AM

Thank you Deb, no it's definitely a work of fiction, they say you're more likely to get run over by a car. Don't know if you remember that movie 'miracle on the Hudson where a pilot landed on the river after hitting a flock of birds. Everyone survived, its an amazing story and it inspired me. Tom

John Watt

Date: 5/31/2022 10:29:00 PM

A nightmare scenario you have described in vivid detail, Tom. As several have already commented, your capacity for description had me feeling I was right there in that plane on that fateful day. You ended it on a positive note, but I'd better have some warm milk before bed tonight to avoid having bad dreams, lol. Well done and best wishes ~ John

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/31/2022 11:03:00 PM

Thank you very much John, glad you enjoyed it, It must take a man with nerves of steel to pull off a feat like that but Sully pulled it off on the Hudson River. Milk is fine definitely no strong cheese lol. Tom

Victor Buhagiar

Date: 5/31/2022 10:26:00 PM

What a misadventure. But all's well that ends well. Let's hope the natives gave you shelter and food. Your poems are always great.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/31/2022 10:59:00 PM

Thank you very much Victor, thankfully a fictional write, glad you enjoyed it. Tom