TAKE-OFF

Polite smiles,

tentative faces trapped by seat belts.

Quiet wait.

The brakes are off.

We reverse on soft tyres,

then wheel about

like an overfed seagull.

Belts and smiles tighten

as the great bird moves

and tarmac skims past.

Suddenly we are angled

over the patchwork,

nosing into pink cotton wool.

No one moves,

the only sound the whine of engines.

Smooth smiling hostess,

easy.

I am not