Poetry Sample - Ode to Sleeping on an Airplane

You try to sleep aboard a plane

and find you miss your bed.

Your neck – it cricks in such pain

from the bobble of your head. 

The seat reclines but an inch –

perhaps a millimeter.

The cushions scratch, the armrests pinch -

not helpful for a dreamer. 

You name the bones in your big toe,

something you find boring.

You envy that guy in the back row.

The one who’s loudly snoring.  

The kid behind you kicks your chair,

and you try hard to ignore him.

Now there’s peanuts in your hair,

and you’re starting to abhor him.

You count the clouds - pretend they’re sheep

and close your eyes quite tight.

But try and try, you cannot sleep –

the sun is way too bright. 

The air above is much too cold.

Your neighbor smells like jelly.

The meal served was made of mold,

and it’s fighting in your belly.

The pilot gives the ETA,

and everybody groans.

“Fly it faster,” they madly say,

while getting on their phones.

Your sleeping pills are overhead,

stowed inside your bag.

If only you were home in bed -

flying’s such a drag!

You close your eyes and try once more,

as someone orders Coke. 

But nothing comes – not one snore. 

Comfort is a joke! 

The drink cart rolls to your row,

and you think that it’s a sign.

Since sleep is clearly not a go,

you’ll just have some wine.