before the plane took off
for the female
migrant workers
a woman screamed
the story of her son
excitement channeled
towards a rendezvous
no more parenting through
screens
another woman shrieked
monologue of a home
waiting to be graced
with for her presence
with her never leaving again
behind me, a deeper female voice
telling stories of her daily
prayers
for heavenly powers to cling to
and to stand the ungodly-given
working hours her master demands
loud sounds of homecoming
lifted off before the plane did
sharp joys piercing
the headphones
of one who simply wished to sleep
of one who simply wished to sleep
I really like this... so hard to tune out such joy, and such pain
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness. Interesting, insightful, moving
ReplyDeleteThat's a very heart-rending subject, the female migrant workers. They must be some of the most poignant stories. Are these people catching a flight to go home? Somehow when I think of homecoming, I think of planes landing and people standing and waiting for their loved ones to return.
ReplyDeleteYes, these people are catching their flight home.
DeleteEvery time I go back to Indonesia from Hong Kong, the plane is always full of them :)
Yes, I know some workers even here who never see their kids one year to the next - it is so common isn't it.
Delete