Gate Number Wait

The man with the hat
waved goodbye
at the gate
the friend looked over
and realized all the planes were
delayed because
of air traffic and snow

calling it a day in a
comfortable place she could call
home
would come
very late

the fretting attendants
offered vouchers
and comfort
as they exchanged quick glances
and a few worried people settled
in for a long wait, naps
and glanced once more
at their watches
pulled out their books
to read
checkbooks to balance
phones to dial
and messages that could
be charged at half the rate

the pacing continued
and so did the snow and the rain
mindless chatter filled the room
the din of the heaters took away
some of the gloom
it was another day of travel
in the northeast
and another trip of no great
waste
as we all contemplated
the delayed flight we had
run for in cabs, trains and limos
with such
incredible haste.

@NYC-pre-9-11