Instant

Midway over the Atlantic
hands clasped
talking in hushed voices
 as not to distrub those sleeping

Honeymoon in France
the dream she has always had
"Sweetie, would you think it
morbid or gruesome that I would
like to see the exact spot where Princess Di
lost her life"?

"Nothing about you could ever be morbid or gruesome
to me, sweetheart"
"Good", she said leaning her head against his strong shoulder
"You make me feel so safe", she whispered in his ear
he held her tight to him thinking how lucky he was

Across the aisle a young mother breast feeds her six month old
as she stares into his eyes of cobalt blue with all the love she has to give

An older couple remanence about their last trip
over the Atlantic
a businessman shuts his briefcase
calls his wife to say goodnight


Midway over the Atlantic a voice sounding conforting and assuring but slightly
nervous makes an annoucement
"Ladies and Gentlemen, we seem to have a problem with one of our engines
I'm sure it will be taken care of momentarily no need for alarm, we have turned on the
fasten seat-belts sign
I will keep you informed, thank you"

Seasoned travelers rub sleep from their eyes
only to snuggle back into their pillows
those not so seasoned feel a tighenting in their chests


Midway over the Atlantic people look at each other
eyes of fright , breaths of interrupted sleep
as the plane bounces and careens nose first
seasoned and non-seasoned passengers realize this is serious

Smoke fills the cabin, oxygen masks fall from above
as the plane falls to below
Mothers draw their children near
Lovers declare their love one last time
Prayers are said
as the plane bursts into flames

Strange how much can change in an instant

 

Author's Note

old poem.. as a lesson to love today .. solve problems between those you love today..make peace

Reviews

[Bachman]

I'm in love with this, completely in love. I love how you told the story of a couple from beginning to end. You have a way about you, I see it now, you're bound for great things my dearie. I love that you didn't sugar coat their ending. It's definately haunting, I agree with BrightEyes, but it's a beautiful kind of haunting like staring into the fog over the ocean. Creepy, drawing you in, and molesting your mind before you're aware of the violation. Keep this up darlin'!

[Michael Guccione]

Exquisitely well written. Timeless message but I was more entranced by the wording and the flow. Well done.

[Gemini Muse]

The message in this is amazing. Its very true people should settle problems today and live in peace. I relate to much of this. Truly cherish every moment because no one knows what tomorrow brings.

[John McGrael]

ooooooohhhhhhhhhh, i reallyyyy like thissss

reminds me of my "among the unmark'd graves" kind of..., reminds me of a lot of my poems actually

[Mark]

The message seems to be to cherish each moment, every gaze, every hug, every intimate moment as though it were your last...It very well may be! A troubling, but well executed statement, Chloe.

[The Language of Birds]

I love the repitition of 'midway over the Atlantic.' There is a good clip and rhythm to most of your stanzas. And your specific concrete details as events develop is nearly flawless.

My only wishes for this poem are two-fold. I wish the 2nd and 3rd stanzas had the same good rhythm as the others.

Also, your final line feels forced. It's like a silly putty accent on a golden bowl. I don't think you need it. Your message is given received because of your great images in the poem. Trust those images to end at 'as the plane bursts into flames.' We're there with you.

Good Read. I will read more of your work when I get a chance. Thank you for the opportunity.

[kruser23]

nice. good point too.

[BrightEyes]

this is a haunting piece ...and the sad reality is that instant need not even be so extreme. sometimes it is merely a word spoken in haste or anger; an action whose consequences were not thought out fully and now regretted. it is a powerful message here, one we can strive to live completely....but there will almost always be those moments in time when our emotions get the better of us at some point....and we wish to recall a certain instant....at that point, perhaps the next best thing is simply to head your final words here...and make amends.

*hugs*

laura

[robert]

quite true...tomorrow never comes. Liked the way you included Princess Di.