Arrivals

Arrivals—there you are.
Only a few steps left of far.

The flowers wilted an hour ago;
She straightens them against her coat.
A little girl has made a sign,
Glitter where the letters won't hold.
The board turns over: LANDED.
Nobody knows where to put their hands.
Each time those glass doors slide apart,
The child starts up, then waits again.

We've watched the sky. We've watched the screen.
Now there's just a door between.

Arrivals, there you are.
Only a few steps left of far.
Drop the sign; I'll know your face.
All that waiting ends in one embrace.

Same walk, more grey, a loaded trolley;
He sees the glitter start to fall.
The child is running before he stops it,
Both his arms already full.
His wife stays still beside the railing,
Then takes the last three steps herself.
The trolley rolls; a stranger catches.
For once, he doesn't need to help.

Arrivals, there you are.
Only a few steps left of far.
Drop the sign; I'll know your face.
All that waiting ends in one embrace.

I was the one who caught the trolley.
He looked at me; I shook my head.
"Go on. I've got the bags a minute."
I know what all that waiting takes.

Arrivals, there you are.
Only a few steps left of far.

Drop the sign; I'll know your face.
All that waiting ends in one embrace.

Arrivals, there you are.

Arrivals, there you are.

I leave the trolley by his hand.
The doors slide back.
Someone else starts running.