leaving the island…

Leaving the Island/Maui No Ka ‘Oi

Leaving for the last time the plane is heavy
with tourists and cancer, and the airline has screwed up
our seat assignments, separating us by two rows.

After getting nowhere with the crew,
my wife, in order to be seated next to me,
is trying to convince another passenger to trade places.

I didn’t realize, until then, how much the disease
had damaged her. She wants me close,
even on this routine flight home.

She doesn’t play the cancer card
but her famous charm isn’t working. Soon however
she is seated next to me, holding my hand.

“How did you get him to move?” I finally ask,
after everyone is settled. “I gave him $200.” she admits.

We are eastbound for home, flying into darkness.