(en route to Victoria, B.C.)

•••

At least a little bit of airplane French,
un petit peu Canadian airplane French,

which we recognize upon
learning about our delay,

which sounds so gentle when
delivered in the language of love:

L’avion partira désormais à 14 heures
(The plane will now depart at 2 p.m.)

We nod—yes, we understand,
(Oui, nous comprenons,)

though we do not on so many levels,
but our fatigue is quickly soothed

by our new favourite sentiment
delivered with rapid-fire kindness:

Merci pour votre patience
(Thank you for your patience).

That, and, once aboard, we hear
our all-time favourite airline line:

Sécurisez votre propre masque avant d’aider les autres
(Secure your own mask before assisting others),

which is still one of the best life metaphors
everyone needs to hear now and then, along with

Attachez votre ceinture de sécurité
(Fasten your seatbelt) because

you never know when it’s gonna be
(turbulence en vol) a bumpy ride.