I am buckled into a seat
my window is part of the emergency exit.
In case of disaster
it is my responsibility
to open the door.

This would require
standing up
but if I did
would the two seated to my left stand with me?
Would the other passengers
rise to their feet?
What about first class?
Of course they have their own
life rafts
but that’s no good if no one
opens this door.

When should it be opened?
Thousands of feet in the air?
While sinking beneath the Atlantic ocean?
Or perhaps after we crash
into the Earth
a burning fireball of
flying potential?

I did not choose this seat
it was on the ticket given to me
but if I don’t open this
emergency exit
who will?

I can see the stars
above the storm clouds…
I can feel New York City
getting hotter
beneath my bare feet.