Debbie Guzzi Poet Free verse

Virgin America

The faintness of flight overwhelms me
boxed in caged, corseted, in a cattle car of the air
pristine bells and whistles cajole the herd
as the breath is cycled and recycled through the 
bellows of plasticine and metal
germs jumping from orifice to orifice
knees crushing bosoms braced for the portent
the potential
the promise
of the fall.

Faintness elicits only minor response
from the tenders who un-tenderly steer the crowd
small moans garner memories of the mallet falls..
but fail to unseat the kindness 
so needed..sought
watery eyes wave
 and the floor seems the only safety
and still the settlers stay settled in their complacency..
neither rising to gift an aged woman with their perch
or commenting as she hits the floor
ah the joys of twenty first century flight
in the belly of Virgin America.

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Jslambert Mister Roboto January 10, 2012 at 9:56 PM This is why I used to get all kinds of "tanked" before, during, and after flights! "double shots of Jack, only 50cent extra!!!~ The VERY friendly skies! Those days are over:) I hope you check out Lawrence F. of CITY LIGHTS as he is one of my heroes of prose, posies, and all things DICTION! Also, it helps that he put on my old Friend Hank Bukowski R.I.P. CHarles! Another beautiful Charlie I know, spent some days in Haight Ashbury, Manson....founder of ATWA! Helter Smellter! Scam!

Black Eyed Susan January 10, 2012 at 6:44 AM "Cattle car of the air" - I love that! But what a sad commentary on human nature - nicely penned :)

Harry Horsman January 6, 2012 at 8:19 AM Oh dear, Debbie you have hit the nail on the head, so to speak, the airlines of the world today all seem to be heading towards what you write here. i am sure it is an ogranized plot (or marketing ploy to use business terminology) to get the general public to upgrade to the inflated cost of Business class. this is going to my fav along with you. harry

Kabuteng P.Ink K. January 6, 2012 at 7:51 AM oh yay! Thank you, you are a sweetie to do so :D ok see monkey me writing now....

Kabuteng P.Ink K. January 5, 2012 at 10:01 AM I hope I understood this correctly-- the pitfalls of flying-- you've written this so descriptively well, and with such uniqueness to it-- really enjoyed this one... really like the analogy you put in here, like caged animals... also thank you so much for all your comments in my poems; about the sestina inspired by your contest, Thank You for helping inspire that :D! btw soupmail in a bit...