When the airline representative
Approached the young man sitting on the
Other side of the tall red object
Which rested on the floor between us,
She asked him, in a most officious voice,
What is in this thing?
And do you intend to bring it onto the plane?
That was when I learned that the mystery piece of
Luggage was an affectionately packed tuba.
I began to hear bumblebees and banda music.
Do you realize that the tuba requires a ticket of its own?
Yes, he said, I have two tickets; one for me, one for the tuba.
What seats do you have? She asked.
He told her the seat numbers and showed her the boarding passes.
And do you know that the tuba is required
To have the window seat?
Yes, and it will. He said with confidence.
She shook her head, let out a quick, brusque cluck,
I suppose we’ll have to let you board early,
She said, because of that thing.
Thank you, he said as she turned away
To retake her post behind the counter.
I could not see his face because of the
Big red tuba case planted between us, but I
Imagine a satisfied smirk crossing it,
Knowing he’d been perfectly prepared for
That moment and it went just as he’d planned.