27/30 The return flight

Overseas vacation is meant to be glorious

Refreshing and cathartic

Adventure and fireworks

Nothing but cherished memories

Surely

There are mishaps and regrets

Jet lag and food poisoning

Time wasted and missed opportunities

But in sum the journey

Has been life changing

How unfortunate

That it always ends with a plane flight

Hours confined to a cramped chair

Seat backs and tray tables

Punctuated by tiny drinks from a cart

A closet bathroom the only escape

Hours of restlessness

Remembering the joys of holiday

Bemoaning the coming resumption of work

When it is almost over

They will hand you the punch line of vacation

Yes, you will be asked to do paperwork

Even the landing is not the end

You will shuffle from plane to hallway

Stand in a line

Exhausted and impatient

Yearning for the comfort of bed

You will wait, bleary-eyed

Til they call you forth

Eye your paperwork in silence

And ask you

If you have anything to declare