(back)

Chicago to Oklahoma City

There's a moment just after takeoff
where the plane dips suddenly down
Dizzy beneath its own weight
and the realization of no longer being on the ground.

There's a moment when the spotlight catches
in your eyes and you go limp
with fear and regret
blind to the stares and question marks.

And there are moments when the ego breaks down
and there is nothing left for taking
so you give
and you give
and you give
give in
give over
give out
or give up
(no one ever gives down).

There are moments when the stoplights
cry to turn green
but are yellow and afraid
so they just turn red for spite.

There is a moment between inhale and exhale
where the world no longer matters
where oxygen is everything
where concern and distrust
crumble beneath the power of chemistry.

And there are moments
where the city stops existing
and swarms of neon sing their loudest
then fall silent and dark
like a cement field of crickets
as the rain begins.

There are moments passed in expectation
and moments when the words are not enough
to express the silence of a good book
on the longest night of the year.

There are moments in this city
where the passion and traffic
touch with the softest tips of lips
to kiss length of the day
goodnight.

It only takes these moments to live a poem
but a lifetime to write them down.