Gate 19

Poem from notes at the Milwaukee Airport 12/29/2024

(photo by granddaughter)

the interstate is empty at 3 am

no snow or ice

return rental car

walk across sky bridge to Departures

dogs sniff feet for explosives

no need to remove shoes

sweat pants and canvas shoes are all the rage

jilted shoeshine chairs sit draped and empty

only Starbucks is open

line snakes out into the corridor

smell of coffee and cinnamon rattles a warning

as it coils around passing legs

fold into a chair – back pack at feet

another wait until it’s time to load

taxi to the de-icing bay delays liftoff

rather be safe than sorry

orange rim on a dappled bowl of clouds

prophesizes the rising sun

1-9-25