Mind the Gap

 

Writing from the gap

‘There is a crack, a crack, in everything,
that’s how the light gets in’

Leonard Cohen

 

This is written from the gap somewhere between safety and fear; between sanity and madness; between confusion and understanding; between health and cancer; between holding on and letting go….

 

Escape One

 

Looking through posts on social media: scrolling for meaning and distraction.  I was waiting for the gate to open, wishing my airline hadn’t fallen out with the Star Alliance cooperation which would enable me to bag drop at any major airline’s check-in point. The airport blanket of noise is punctuated with occasional beeps inside the terminal. There is muffled talking echoed into the great metal and glass cathedral structure, as it stood reverently, the St Christopher of travellers.

 

In the end I post:

 

Coffees: one from the machine groundside

Earl Grey tea: one from the little café, also groundside

Walking around the airport purposefully: at least twice

Changing in toilets from long floaty skirt so it doesn’t get stuck in an escalator: once (tricky)

Shopping: Luggage label (one) see attached…


Written from the Brandenburg Terminal, Berlin. Next time I’d like to be leaving somewhere more exotic, sunny, be-palm-treed.

 

‘Be careful what you wish for.’

 

Gradually we became a community of those waiting at the check-in point, staring at the lettering above the check-in point, willing it to change, amassing like ants around a dropped sugar cube. Finally, someone in a polyester suit comes over and asks if they can help.

‘It’s fine. You can check-in here.’

 

Relieved, the ants disperse, along with their luggage, and remove themselves, going through the departure gate, through security and into the great beyond, which ultimately becomes the endless sky.

 

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