Bombardier
There is a leaflet in the pocket of the seat in front of you.
Please browse
at your leisure. The leaflet is
important. It contains things
you need to know.
We hope you can read.
Fasten seatbelts.
Keep them fastened tight against your crotch.
Turbulence is to be expected and may be uncomfortable
as well as a change
in pressure.
Oxygen masks should
drop
in front of you.
This is to remind you to breathe.
You might have to bring the mask
towards you: this is normal.
Oxygen will start
when you
clamp
the mask to your face like a gag.
Sometimes there is a lapse
before it starts.
Eventually the oxygen
should get to you.
When the turbulence comes
there is absolutely nothing you can do.
Imagining death is neither advised
nor productive.
If your body
crashes
use the inflatable slides
to get out of it.
You will have to take off your shoes first.
Anne Gill was previously a part of the University of Birmingham’s slam team, winning UniSlam 2018. She has performed at events in the UK and the US and was shortlisted for the Outspoken Prize for Poetry 2018.