we find out that there’s a hijacking

in the middle of dinner

or while at work

or watching TV in the living room

 

we know who’s on that plane

it’s our son, brother, father, uncle, grandfather, cousin

it’s our daughter, sister, mother, aunt, grandmother, cousin

on that plane

 

we assume it’s a brown man with a beard

the news guesses it too

and are surprised when it’s a clean shaven white man

but we aren’t really surprised

 

we come to the airport

because we can’t stay at home

(it hurts too much)

some of us at the destination, some of us at the origin

 

we whisper

in languages similar and different

the same words

but in different tongues

 

we pray

to gods both known and unknown

Jesus, Allah, Shiva, Buddha, Hashem

to give us a miracle

 

we beg

please please keep them safe

please please bring them home

are our gods listening?

 

we learn that the plane’s landing

some hero is taking our loved ones to safety

they’re coming home to us

thank god

 

we see the wheels hit the ground

either on the TV or in front of us

our hearts fill with hope

they’re safe

 

suddenly

 

we see a burst of light

heat’s hot on our skin

our ears ring ding dong

the plane is gone

 

we scream wordlessly

who did this?

where are our loved ones?

why weren’t they safe?

 

we guess god heard us wrong