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Corinne
Member Ascendant

since 1999-10-28

Posts 5167
state of confusion

0 posted 2001-08-05 12:38 PM

Space Invaders

It begins with a barrage of assaults –
of sonorous voices
and shrill, sing-song ringing
coming from every direction;
bumping of limbs
that dance in our way;
babies wailing,
expressing
what we cannot.

Throughout,
the main mantra
is “expect delays.”
Even though we hum
this to ourselves
and all senses
are set to this frequency,
we insist upon
demonstrating
our impatience,
hoping to change
the chant’s tune.

It involves long periods
of acceptance,
of calming oneself
into believing
that safety is not at issue,
and that this state
of squashed bundling
is normal.

We breathe the same close-in air,
touch elbows, knees with strangers,
and allow the confinement.

We soar into the atmosphere,
but barely notice the beauty,
so concentrated on our arrival
and escape from their control.

Sometimes,
to prolong the torture,
they leave us idling,
on the ground,
but still not free.

Usually, though,
we reach our destination,
back into a world
of imagined control,
all the while wishing
for “a stop at Willoughby*”.

© 2001 Corinne Bailey

Twilight Zone Episode #30 5/6/60, A Stop at Willoughby

[This message has been edited by Corinne (edited 08-05-2001).]

Irish Rose
Member Patricius

since 2000-04-06

Posts 10263

1 posted 2001-08-05 01:39 PM

fantastic! I'm going to have to write one from MY favorite episode about Henry Bemis when the world exploded and he had time...time to read and he broke his glasses!

I enjoyed every line of this one, Corinne.

" I walked beside the evening sea And dreamed a dream that could not be" George William Curtis"

Kay

Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean

since 1999-07-07

Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla

2 posted 2001-08-05 05:19 PM

Corinne,
A thoughtfull and interesting write, enjoyed

Corinne
Member Ascendant

since 1999-10-28

Posts 5167
state of confusion

3 posted 2001-08-05 09:37 PM

Thanks, Kathleen and Seymour!

Corinne

Parker
Member Elite

since 2000-01-06

Posts 3129
ON

4 posted 2001-08-07 11:18 AM

I really hate being crowded into planes... but really enjoyed this write sweet poet.

Parker

Sven

Member Laureate

since 1999-11-23

Posts 14937
East Lansing, MI USA

5 posted 2001-08-07 06:39 PM

ah yes. . . one of the best. . .

great job Corinne. . . a unique perspective to be sure. . .

--------------------------------------------------------

To the world, you may only be one person. But to one person, you may be the world.

Corinne
Member Ascendant

since 1999-10-28

Posts 5167
state of confusion

6 posted 2001-08-08 04:05 PM

Thank you, Park and Sven!

Long flights are ok, if Hawaii is at the other end! Business travel, on the other hand, ugh!

Cor

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