Continue To Bleed Normally
The flight attendant corrected herself
as her coworker giggled behind
the demonstration mask. “I’m sorry—
continue to breathe normally. . . ”
and reminded us that our seat cushions
could be used as a flotation device.
The late night departure sapped life
from us all. Reading lamps popped
like tiny novas above the attendant’s
spiel. I followed both of her
instructions—slowed my respiration
and watched blood pool around my
just-bitten fingernail.
.
James Dickson teaches English and Creative Writing in Madison, MS. He is currently an MFA candidate in The Writing Seminars at Bennington University. His work has been published in Stirrings, English Journal, The Cat Head Biscuit Review, and Bosphorus Art Project Quarterly.
