Farewell to America (hey, that'd be a good tune name)

avanutria · Post by **avanutria** » Wed Sep 15, 2004 11:55 pm

It's 16th September; the hour approaches
when I take my place 'mongst the First Class and Coaches.
I shall brave tiny seats
and eat unknown meal-treats.
(Are these dinners really rejected by roaches?)

I'm off for a year! as the London lights beckon.
And my bags, I am always obsessively checkin'
to see what I've brought
and what I've forgot
but they'll probably sell it in England, I reckon.

My only concern: the secure airport zone
always patrolled by that slow airport drone.
My half dozen whistles
you'd think they were missiles!
As he paws his way through my backpack, I will groan.

On to Chicago, the great Windy City
I'm told that it's actually kind of quite pretty.
But I'll never know.
Whenever I go
I travel right through it, and often am giddy.

I recheck my info so I can't mistake it.
A hour for transfer - I hope I will make it.
But I have no choice:
bought a ticket, not voice
Though, as long as it gets me to England, I'll take it.

I'm at the next gate in a half hour flat
Seat 43 H?? Okay, where the heck's that?
Window, centre or aisle,
I'm not in denial -
Wherever they put me *sigh* that's where I'm at.

An eight hour flight across this great ocean
the dry cabin air makes me wish I had lotion
My seat moves with a jerk
and my headset won't work.
Customer comfort? What an odd notion.

Snatches of sleep when conditions are right -
On these flights I average two hours a night.
My eyes get quite bleary
so sore, red and weary -
But now we are landing, and soon we'll alight.

Three hundred people all shoved in and canned
None of us moving - so why do we stand?
If you all will please sit
and just *wait* for a bit
We'll all be more quickly deplaning to land.

And here's immigration - the worker who sees us
eagerly holding our passports and visas
He holds the high power
as man of the hour
I hope he has no plans to try to displease us!

Waiting for baggage, good time for a nap
Watching that empty mouthed baggage-hold gap
I sit with a sigh
lean my pack on my thigh
And I hope that no one has stolen my cr-- stuff.

*****

I will be offline for the next few weeks, possibly popping into the odd thread when I have the opportunity, but mostly trying to get resettled in London, which will be home for the next year! Thanks to everyone for your patience and support, and see you later from the other side of the pond!

Walden · Post by **Walden** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 12:11 am

Fare thee well, Miss Nutria. I hope for the best for you, while you're over there.

jkrazy52 · Post by **jkrazy52** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 12:52 am

May all your travels be safe and first rate
And your time in England just great!

Vaya con Dios, avanutria

~Judy

Jeferson · Post by **Jeferson** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 1:02 am

Enjoy your journey, Beth.

Jef

happyturkeyman · Post by **happyturkeyman** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 1:04 am

[waves pink hanky randomly in the air]

Alan · Post by **Alan** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 1:22 am

Happy landings, Beth! I'm sure you will have many wonderful adventures ahead. Ramble on!

GaryKelly · Post by **GaryKelly** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 2:15 am

I'm sure America's loss will be our gain! Bon voyage, and leave that cr*ppy weather behind you (we have enough of our own thanks!).

Blighty welcomes safe whistlers.

Wombat · Post by **Wombat** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 2:26 am

Good luck Beth. Hey, shouldn't that be Amerikay?

I was also somehow expecting that poem to be singable to 'Song for Ireland.' I'm always curious to know what people do with that ghastly line: saw summer sunsets, asked for more. (Dick Gaughan had the good taste to mumble it.) I sort of imagine the following conversation in a tourist trap in Galway.

— I'll have three pints of Guiness and another summer sunset, please.

—Arrrrh, to be sure. Will you be wanting fries with that?

Random notes · Post by **Random notes** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 4:14 am

Enjoy everything - the food, the weather...

Actually, one of these days I hope to go over. I love history and I love the idea of England.

Have fun and be sure to write.

Roger

jbarter · Post by **jbarter** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 5:32 am

Ow do.

Whistlin'Dixie · Post by **Whistlin'Dixie** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 6:33 am

Happpy Trails, Beth.

Let us know when you arrive safely

Mary

izzarina · Post by **izzarina** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 6:42 am

Bon Voyage, Beth....or at least the English equivalent to that! Have a perfectly grand time!

emmline · Post by **emmline** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 7:05 am

The slight irony of these bon voyage threads is that once you get settled, it'll be back to normal, geographic distinction becoming unnoticeable.

That's not to say I'm not a wee bit envious of your adventure...and your verse was quite evocative of an experience many of us have endured. Well done.

Have fun!

TomB · Post by **TomB** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 7:06 am

Safe Travel

Tom

SirNick · Post by **SirNick** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 7:08 am

I'm jealous!! Have a great time. This adventure will shape the rest of your life.

Chiff and Fipple Forums

Farewell to America (hey, that'd be a good tune name)

Farewell to America (hey, that'd be a good tune name)

Bon Voyage

Re: OT: Farewell to America (hey, that'd be a good tune name