Cot

I am 29
Flying back
To Texas from
London where I
Have been doing
Some research for
A study on Normandy
During the Second World
War and as we circle the
New York airport in the
Night I look down on
The rows of lights on
Streets below as the
Time slips by until
We land taxi in
Deboard then
I must wait
Until mid
Morning
To fly
On
To Texas.
A stewardess
Tells me to follow
Her and I find myself
Led behind some panels
Separating off an area of
Cots some occupied by
Figures each under
A blue blanket as
She motions for
Me to lie down
Tosses a blue
Blanket over
Me then I
Awake
Next
Morning
Early fold my
Blanket leaving
It on the cot as many
Stewardesses smile at
Me all of us knowing I have
No business being in the
Cot area from which I
Hastily retreat a few
Feet into the busy
Terminal looking
For my flight
Departure
Gate and
Grateful
To the
Stewardess
Who gave me
A cot when I was
Too exhausted
To realize she
Broke the
Rules to
Give a
Cot
To me
Wondering
Why she was
So kind but as I
Think back I
Remember
Her smile
Her hand
On my
Shoulder
Guiding me when
I was asleep on my
Feet and her faint
Voice saying
Goodnight
As she
Went
On.