Image: My suitcase ready as I wait for the taxi.

 

02.04.16 – 9) The alarm sounds I get my sleepy head

Out of bed

Quick shower, taxi due in half an hour

Coffee to bring me alive, wait for the taxi to arrive

Taxi arrives I step outside, it’s raining

It’s on time so there’s no complaining

Luggage stowed, once more we hit the road

M62 into Lancashire going well, then, “Oh hell”

Traffic stops, heart drops

Feeling of dread running through my head

Fears in vain, it’s moving again

Journey carries on, M60, M66 and before long

Airport in sight, taxi stops I alight

Now book in and get ready foor my outward flight

 

10) Check in goes ok I’m on my way, Customs to clear, nothing to fear

Ooops! Could be a snag, they’ve got my bag

Something seen on the screen

Something was up, turned out to be my thermal cup

Customs Officer looked in, small bottle of malt vinegar within

Soon she was knowing, I cant get it where I’m going

It was checked and after a short while she said with a smile

It’s alright have a pleasant flight

It was my malt vinegar that caused the problem I havd forgot to put it in a resealable bag.

 

11) Breakfast had, waiting over, now on the plane

Window seat watching it rain

Boarding completed on time, as usual I’m composing a rhyme

What’s going on around, while we’re still on the ground

Other plans loading, sky still foreboding

Now moving, quick stop, safety check, moving again

Slowly through the pouring rain

Runway, wait, engines powered, brakes off, we’re on our way

Controls shift nose wheel lifted with care, that’s it we’re in the air

Now to Heathrow 30 minutes away

 

12) Now descending, Heathrow not far away

Weather going to cause slight delay

Now we’re through the cloud, engines slowing, not as loud

Waiting, circling round

Now we’re told 10 minutes and we’ll be on the ground

Looking out of the window I find

Sun shining, we’ve left the rain behind

London bathed in sun, my 6th poetry tour of Texas really has begun

 

13) On board the plane for the second flight

The Captains announced something’s not right

Could be slight delay while 2 passengers make their way

To get on board, their luggage is already stored

But of them nothing to be seen, if they don’t turn up it will mean

Their luggage will be found and left on the ground

Now they’re on board to everyone’s delight

So let’s get this plane in flight

 

14) In flight at last, well clear of the ground

Fifteen minutes later, cabin crew bring the snacks round

Westwards we go, Atlantic below

Currently running 13 minutes late for our arrival in the Lone Star State

Now time to take stock, cos’ I can feel writers block

 

15) The flight seems to be dragging, inspiration seems to be lagging

Try as I might, I’m finding it hard to write

I look out of the window at Minnesota below

And the last vestiges of Winters snow

Thinking in just over two hours time,

I’ll be touching down in a sunnier clime

Where hopefully things’ll go alrignt

And I’ in time for Expressions Anthology Night

 

16) Now over Texas, watching it slipping away below

The Captain says 40 minutes to go

Gave a brief update, we’re not going to be too late

But I’ll be glad when we’re safe on the ground

Get my case, car and get away, on my 6th Texas poetry tours first day

 

17) Landed safe through immigration then found

The car rental kiosk had changed round

Moved elsewhere I was told where

Kiosk found. car collected then I was bound

With enthusiasm you couldn’t stanch

To Expressions and their first anthology launch.

 

18)  GPS switched on Ba Hai Centre programmed in

Soon I’ll be there within

But it seemed it didn’t want to play,  but I set off anyway

Where it was wasn’t clear, but I had an idea

On a map I’d seen, two roads it ran between

Not bereft, find one and turn right, or the other and turn left

To go was my choice, then a familiar voice

Let’s me know where to go

As if by divine unction, when to turn and at which junction

Got there safe and thought “bless, the familiar voice in my GPS”.