i wish i knew what it was
that makes melbourne airport
so frustrating to return to
last time
last year
the people who guide you
into different customs declaration queues
made me walk this way and that
ordering me around in gruff
annoyed voices.
this time it was the baggage retrieval
my face hurts to think about it
i should’ve just
let it go
and picked it up on the next round
but all of a sudden
my wife’s shouting
“quick! it’s there! get it!”
and I’m saying
“excuse me
excuse me
excuse me!”
as i lunge through and try to catch it
and one guy’s saying “steady on!”
as i push past
and try to swing the suitcase
over and onto the ground.
people used to help
you out
in these situations
now they just stare
like stunned mullets
as you dare to invade
their spot
next to the carousel.
usually i go to a less crowded part
so i don’t have to go through
all of this
but there was no time
and somebody had already
nicked our empty trolley.
what really troubles me
about this morning’s event
is that i worry
i’m turning into the kind
of person i despise.
welcome back.