i was hoping i'd say something
simple as a shy hello above the clouds
but it was dark and you were lost
in a book - red eye and wide awake
it was strange passing into a timezone
like blasting into the past

as the sun rose we descended
i glanced at you, to my surprise
my awkward tongue did not swell
and your lips turned to a polite curl
"we made it," you whisper
the clouds above us now and the skyline
below.

"we sure did," i whisper back. "high five."
you giggle, high five, i get my bag
from the luggage compartment
and vanished into the crowds
never to see the cute blondie in the zebra
skirt or her book again