An ouf of relief as we’re up
out of that hell of an airport
gradual incline popping ears
glimpses of familiar scenes
from this angle aberrant
my usual idea of flying
a hiccup a pause
respite from life .
I’m full of fear –
tightness in my chest
unwelcome images crowd my head
anticipation unnerving
sweat in my hands
despite icy air
inexplicably in my face.
My turn too soon.
A shove and I’m out
security gone.
baffling silence
just faint sound of air
passing me by
or am I passing it?
No sensation of movement
peacefully floating
not falling, or am I?
Insistent counting in my brain
jerks my attention.
Something to be done but what?
Time’s running out
realisation –
pull something
oh yes, now I know.
Shock. Jerk. Upward pressure
then calm, still, serene, time passes
awaiting terra firma
bend ze knees as
humdrum earthbound creature lands.
I’ve been occupied this week in feeding my visiting daughter and family, so left a couple of prompts on the back burner to simmer until I had time to do something with them. These were http://margoroby.wordpress.com/2011/10/25/popcorn-turkey-legs-spinning-teacups-tuesday-tryouts/ for which my (fictional) first parachute jump seemed to cover the sensory aspects and http://dversepoets.com/2011/10/27/meeting-the-bar-critique-and-craft-conflation/ where different emotions, fears and calm seem to conflate in the one event.
Vivinfrance's Blog 
‘Every time I have to fly I write grumpy, stressed poetry during the interminable waits.’ I liked the poem, because I can see the things you are doing to speed up or slow down our reading to match the different paces the speaker goes through. But, I love your response to a comment just as much.
margo
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Wow! This is wonderfully done! 😀 I love it!
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Very convincing.
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I thought it was real! Well done 🙂
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think i need to take a fictional parachute jump as well…sounds awesome…
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It looked real to me. I’ve always wanted to parachute, and it’s not too late. That’s one for the bucket list.
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What an adventuress! Whether you did the skydive or not, your nimble mind picked up every terrifying nuance of an experience in which I have no wish to take part… (chicken noises)
Only parting from your text is this: You are anything but humdrum!! Love, Amy
http://sharplittlepencil.wordpress.com/2011/10/29/ballad-of-the-one-percenter-political-poetry/
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whew…you have been where i have not…there is another lady i read…she is in her 60s and jumps all the time…she is def an inspiration for me…one day…and you did really well in your descriptions…enjoyed this much…
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‘fraid not: ’tis all in my imagination!
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cool.. have you ben parachuting?.. it sounds like you have.. c
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Sorry to disillusion you…..
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Flying has become soooo stressful. A few weeks ago when we returned to Reno from Charlotte North Carolina, we waited in an ungodly long security line. To pass time, I decided to count the number of faces I could see that seemed relaxed, or smiled. I counted 6 out of hundreds. I purposely planted a smile on my face. I’m surprised that didn’t prompt security to do a pat-down…surely suspicious behavior!
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Every time I have to fly I write grumpy, stressed poetry during the interminable waits.
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Lovely write! Despite the science, I cannot understand how it stays up there! The joy of terra firma!
Anna :o]
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A wonderful write, Viv. I felt like I was the one up there {gulp}… I’ve never been brave enough to try such a thing.
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Lovely write. The conflation subtle and the symmetry consistent in the poetic story you are telling. Again, a lovely write.
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Thank you indeed. I was diffident about the conflation, wondering if the contrasts were too slight.
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It’s just amazing how many senses are touched by not just the take-off but pre-take-off and post take-off. So many words are needed to express such a short moment in time.
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