I had that sinking feeling in my stomach

Among maybe 149 strangers 

As we descended from the summit

We were all packed in like straw in a manger

I pondered my complete lack of control 

Sure, I’d double checked my seatbelt but I knew it wouldn’t hold

I asked the sleepy man beside me if he’d open up the window slit

I told him, “We’re approaching my hometown; from this view I love to look at it”

He smiled wanly and lifted the shade

I took in the big orange ball over the Chesapeake Bay

My stomach dropped some more

I was happy to remember that shore – where me and my pup had frolicked a million times

Where me and my husband spent our whole lives 

I could see the entire 7 mile radius of my life 

I whispered to my husband, to everyone, “Goodbye”

As many started screaming 

Some hyperventilated 

It seemed like the plane hesitated

Who’d care for our pup, I wondered

I wish I could have told my parents goodbye

Would my boss get the news tomorrow morning or tonight?

Then the bells and alarms began

It reminded me of all the times I ran 

Meaningless races looking back

Here I was plummeting in my prime 

I wished my husband hadn’t traveled with me this time

Pick your seating, what a business strategy

The guy beside me laughed madly 

I took a deep breath as the water got closer 

Splash!

The 28 minute flight from Baltimore was a flash

My journal, my dreams, my training were over

Along with a bunch of laptops and i-phones

Thankfully most passengers were immersed in them so they didn’t know 

What a wreck

A monstrous airplane down 

But from above just looked like a speck

At least I got to die in my favorite place: my hometown