according to the new york times, the commuter jet that crashed last week in buffalo “appeared to be flying uneventfully until its final 26 seconds, when it suddenly began performing erratically and slammed into a house…” 50 people lost their lives, and the 49 passengers & crew aboard the flight had less than half a minute to face death.
i can’t help but wonder how i would handle my own death in an airplane crash or similar tragedy. yeah i know it’s morbid, but i do. i imagine myself calm, having instantly accepted the reality of the moment and not wasting precious seconds in panic & disbelief. i like to think that i’ll face my moment of death with a quiet, humble resignation; my final thoughts turned to my family and sending prayers that they will be comforted and cared for as they mourn me. then i’d find my thoughts turned to anxiety over the pain that awaits…what will i feel just before i cross over…and what is really on the other side?
i only had 26 seconds to face death today
couldn’t waste them complaining how life ends this way
so i’m bowing my head and i’m starting to pray
i’ve only a moment and there’s so much to say
but then it all fades to black in unimaginable pain
my god i loved you so much
how could our time be up
26 seconds was just not enough
a lifetime of memories & i just give you up
my remnants they scatter and return me to dust
and you’re left with just questions; no closure to speak of
but my last thought was granted just as i prayed
your eyes no longer see me but our connection remains
i am there in the wind expressing what i can’t say
in the wistful breeze of a warm spring day
in the cooling blast drying sweat from your face
in the angry gust that warns of a strong hurricane
and in the bitter chill of the day i was taken away
i know you can’t see me but our connection remains
so depend on the wind to hear what i’m trying to say
