• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Painted Bride Quarterly

  • About
    • About PBQ
    • People
  • Issues
    • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
    • Print Annuals
  • Podcast
    • Latest Podcast
    • All Podcasts
  • News & Events
  • Submit
  • Shop
  • Fiction
  • Poetry
  • Prose
  • Contributors
  • Current Issue

Clyde K.L. Elsie: Ode to Jocelyn, Flight Attendant on    United #4774 from LGA – CLE by Passenger 14C

February 5, 2015 by PBQ

Sudden feelings like this

I’ve never felt.

You’ve taught me so much about love

And how to fasten my seatbelt.

 

So much about life is beyond my understanding

But thanks to you

I’ve learned what to do.

In the event of an emergency landing

 

In the unlikely event of a water landing,

I will be your hero.

You and me, Jocelyn, clinging to a cushion

Like Titanic’s Kate and Leo.[1]

 

You’re so popular

When you’re passing out treats.

So patient with people,

Who ‘forget’ to put up their seats.

 

Orange Juice? Coffee? Water?

Calm and steady with the drink cart

“Do you have anything stronger,

To stop the turbulence in my heart?”

 

Blue scarf tied

Above a blouse of white.

“Hello, my name is Jocelyn,

and I’ll be your crush this flight.”

 

Your style is modest

With a blue cardigan,

Uniform skirt and leggings,

And a sassy winged pin.

 

Only you could make

A cardigan look saucy.

“Sir, put your tray-table up.”

“Joce, why you gotta be so bossy?”

 

Shaky fingers hit the button

To give you a call,

Grace like yours just can’t be bought

Not even in skymall.

 

I hope we both

Can make this connection,

Otherwise without delay,

I’ll need to reschedule my affection.

 

Meeting you has been a joy,

And I would be delighted,

If I at some point,

We could fly and be UNITED.

 

 

Passenger 14C was flying to Flint via Cleveland on Friday, 6/14/13 to attend a family reunion.

 

_____________________________________

 

[1] Only I don’t freeze to death.

Filed Under: Contributors 91, Issue 91, Poetry, Poetry 91 Tagged With: Clyde K.L. Elsie, Contributors 91, Poetry, Poetry 91

Primary Sidebar

Recent News & Events

PBQ March Slam Session!

PBQ @ the Pen & Pencil!

PBQ Slam Session!

Slam Session with PBQ!

PBQ @ Poetry Tent!

© 2020 Painted Bride Quarterly. Contact PBQ: info@pbqmag.org