That Moment Before Landing

When the person sitting next to you speaks

or you feel the  urge to communicate.

You talk over the racket  of airplane brakes.

It’s that moment you dread when you are sure

the plane will crash into the terminal.

You ask the stranger if they live in Reno

The  young blonde wife leans forward around him,

says they moved here about three years ago.

You learn they are childless but still trying.

He likes his job and loves to powder ski.

You want to tell him  about heli-skiing

n the Ruby Mountains near Elko,  tell her…

you hear the click of unfastened seat belts

the popping of unlocked overhead bins,

and the murmuring of the passengers.

The couple whispers to one another

and then you find yourself alone again.