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The first rumor was
He ran past security
Then an explosion.

Sirens, fire trucks
Riffled police scan from the roofs
This delayed thousands.

Release him to us
Wished the waylaid travelers
Of the terrorist.

Delayed travelers
Even the flight attendants
Will become Nazis.

Contemplating death
And dismemberment for the
Type A who was rushed.

Was he running late
For his flight, trying to catch
His ride back to home?

But the rumors changed.
“He had a gun� said someone
Who missed her flight home.

“He had blue jeans and
A white shirt and his flashlight
Blue up and killed five.�

CNN later
Retracted the explosions.
There was airport rage.

Everyone was calm
Except the Hawaii-bound.
Just missed their plane.

“It’s against the law
To reopen a plane door
Once the door is closed.�

“Good-by Hawaii�
Their eyes said but in their hearts
They were poised to kill.

You can always tell
Traumatized travelers by
How we want to help.

You offer help to
Anyone for anything
“Need help with your bags?�

“The snacks are good here.�
“You can’t beat their chicken wraps.�
“I know someone there!�

“Isn’t it awful?�
“These delays are a nuisance.�
“Terrorists are mean!�

Once you actually
Get your boarding pass, you’re free.
Everyone is cool.

The world seems aligned.
You stop trying to be nice.
You’ve got what you want.

No bags, clearance to
The departing ate to home.
Cats, wash loads, sleep, work.

Did it make the news –
The non-existent flashlight
That never blew up?

What did that guy say
To the FBI agents
On why he ran by?

“He always was a
Little eccentric� they’d say
At family clans.

Once he’s out of jail
Forty-five years from today
LA flashlight scare.
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Santa Monica.
It’s like Elmwood strip amped up
And you can charge it.
~

“We should stop charging!
We’re living like royalty
Before the homeless.
~
What you left behind
Emerges unconsciously
During vacation.
~
They offer masters
To anorexic women
In California.

With image achieved
With dog walkers, nannies hired
Achievement still evades.
~
Spit-polished Beamers
Agile stock portfolios
Surf’s Up! Just do it!
~
I could lean just right
Hang ten and shoot the curl now
California dreams
~
Wet-suited surfers
Programmers’ ones and zeros
Rink and mall rats chill.
~
Main sail in the wind
Surfboard on the wave’s slick rim
Don’t control, just steer.