Town hopping

From one place to another
hopping towns all the time
just for the sake of work
scraping fun on the side
oh, what a life it must be
wonder people every where
widening eyes in jealousy
hoping for a bargain swap
pursing lips some scoff
showing off hatred so clear
oof, who cares, wave it away
work’s hard and so’re trips
good food, and great scenery
but who else hears the drama
of early morning scrambling
or rushed midnight madness
who knows the searing pains
or the teary, runny eye balls
from a heavy lack of sleep
and an overload of coffee
oh, the world never hears
jet lagged hallucinations
or the airline knee pains
so’s the life of a traveller
who hops town for work
and hopes for pleasure too

Considerate flying

I’m not what you’d call a frequent flyer, but I’ve had a decent share of airport walks and reconstituted airline oxygen. And I’m no stranger to weird neighbours, pesky kids, and smelly socks.

Remember when the person seated behind you jabbed their TV monitor so hard that it disrupted your sleep?

I do.

Or when the person next to you is watching such an inappropriate movie that you want to curl up and look away?

Yes.

Well, these are the little things that create big impacts. That’s why I loved what I saw on my recent Alaska Air flight.

Alaska Air
Alaska Air

And of all the airlines I’ve travelled on, Alaska Air stands a class apart. And it’s not just because some of their domestic flights offer complimentary beer. They prioritise passenger comfortโ€”even their crew uniforms are casual and comfortable.

The first time I only booked on Alaska, it was because the other budget airline I was leaning towards increased prices just before I purchased. I had to forego my preference at the last minute and settle for Alaska. But heyโ€”free Biscoff and beerโ€”what a lucky scenario!

Is a song

This way or that
all ways are right
as fluid as gender
not rigid as religion
both lengthy and short
some symmetric and not
home to the iambs and i ams
tolerant of unknown licenses
inclusive of worldly cultures
comments sensible or otherwise
the backbone of every tradition
is a song, a poem, a hearty welcome

Fate of the unprepared

The worst in many years
it’s biting and it’s chilling
heartless coldness unfearing
creeping through the darkness
peeping in half-open wardrobes
combing a way through, unabashed
thrusting itself upon the air
and pricking at my wiggly toes
cutting through cotton clothes
and laughing at the unprepared
comes winter in autumn’s wake