Alone in an airport

all the concessions have finally closed
the luggage tags likewise now unravel –
i’ve spent the night in an airport alone
even the cleaners have all gone home …

out on the tarmacs the rain is a canvas
the planes are invisible up in the sky
at every counter the shutters have risen
only perfumes of the flight crews linger

the terminal’s redevelopment is complete
now there’s nothing left here to expand
& duty-free shops disappeared long ago
inside the food court a fake fern sleeps

departure boards flicker like r.e.m. dreams
but the gangways are empty of tired feet
the veins of the airport throb in safety
nevertheless i will practice my tai-chi

i use smashed windows to create my murals
ticket stubs provide my small fire with fuel
i walk naked through the abandoned latrines
in arrivals halls i will begin planting trees

David Prater
David Prater

David Prater is an Australian-born writer, editor and parent. His interests include mince pies, ice hockey and Joy Division.

View his full biography.

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