Flight

I was surprised when the flight left on time.

I had expected some level of resistance.

I had the perfect window seat to

See the runway, beautifully lit on into the distance.

Takeoff, too, was uneventful,

Charlottesville splayed beneath me

As we turned towards Chicago.

The flight attendant was ready to serve drinks,

When from the flight deck

“I have bad news. We can’t gain additional altitude

Which we’ll need to land in Chicago,

So we’re returning to Charlottesville

Now.”

I had thought that once a plane took off,

The plane and passengers would continue on

Until they reached their destination.

This new option

Messes with my sense of what is possible.