I have traveled across the midriff of america in semidarkness
the windows closed so I cannot see
what waters stretch out before us or what cities alongside us
the darkness and smells of sleep surround me
and my companions rest their arms against my arms, thin
layers of fabric all that keep our skin from touching
as we speed through the sky in this act of levitation
and combustion
I read that the cloud industry now
contributes as much carbon dioxide
to the atmosphere as all of aviation
and I’m left wondering how it is
that even thoughts can cause tropical storms
even clouds make fire and smoke
these words depend on the cold rushing-forth of captured waters
where fish no longer swim upstream
on this plane we are all staring
at the same tiny animated visions but if I lift my eyes
this room is full of human bodies
the backs of their heads
are turned towards me, the other sides entrained
by a song and dance number illustrating
what to do in an emergency
well I think we have an emergency now
we are all deranged by loneliness
and cannot tear our eyes away
while the screens keep telling us
just a little bit further now
and you’ll be there
and all the while
there
isn’t
coming
