Jetsetter, whirlwind tour, weekend warrior
room service, late night café, tramway,
toiletry kit, packing cubes, express checkout,
elevator, escalator, shuttle, to-go cup, airport taxi
passing windows reflect shadows
strangers’ faces, smiles and dark circles
bleary-eyed smiles and city lights
luggage cart and boarding pass
security check, overhead compartments
dozing in an airplane window
landing gear keening beneath
hometown mountains rise
above a thick blanket of low clouds
morning sun crisp and bold
plane slips through the mist
down to the glassy sea
over this pale city still yawning
tires touch down on the runway
jostle us gently, blinking into baggage claim
plane-thunder rolls through the grey sky
sounds of whirlpools and rolling suitcase wheels
passenger loading on the causeway
tripping over heavy feet into the car
parking stubs and driveway gates
metered onramp, turn signals merge
tollbooths, freeway speeds, lane changes
familiar road signs guide us
finally glad to be home.