Sweltering Hot
The plane was sweltering hot
Only 15 minutes to board
Made it by a sliver
Already sweating
From the sprint
Through the Memphis airport
Immediate frustration
Entered the plane
Dripping with sweat
No air
The plane was sweltering hot
Parched lips
Trying not to stroke out
On the journey back to the far reaches of the plane
Wanting to curse
Sweat rolling down my back
Looked up
Down she came
Her baby girl screaming
Bag in tow
She flopped down in front of me
Hot and frazzled
Her beautiful baby girl screaming
Like she was on fire
Bag left in the isle
People were tripped over the bag
Stepped on the bag
Gave her crusty glares
Mumbling expletives
She was trying to get buckled
Soothe her daughter
And get a snack
From the bag
Continuously being stepped on
A blanket needed for her screaming baby
The plane was sweltering hot
Tempers flared
Step
Trip
Clunk
Sigh
Heave
Grump
All those people smacked into her bag
I was sitting
Watching
Thinking in my head
“What is wrong with these people?
Can’t they see she needs a little help?”
OH
She needs help
I smack my forehead and lean in
“Can I help you put your bag away?”
A sigh of relief
Kind blue eyes looked up at me
Baby girl still screaming on lap
Frantic tears
“I was hoping the stewardess would come”
“Why don’t you let me help you, do you have everything you need for her?”
“Yes”
Relief, a sniff- was trying to brush tears away
I zipped up her bag and found space for it over another isle
“Thank you so much”
She touched my arm as I walked past her to sit down
I buckled in
Mumbling under my breath
“I get it, I’m listening, use me.”
The plane was sweltering hot
A simple act of service
A minor effort on a sweltering hot plane
Helping a stranger in some small way
The plane was sweltering hot
I was suddenly refreshed and cool
strengthdefined 