Five siblings inherit a blanket. They lie beneath it, together, to stay warm.
          But arms and legs stick out and the siblings squabble and tug. They do
          not realize that they would all fit if they just moved closer together.

This is the Blanket Story. Poets, artists, and musicians have responded to this tale in creative ways. All poems appear here, our ONLINE POETRY SHOWCASE. Visit our main page to find out more about the project.

Carl Palmer

Aerophobia

Toddlers play together,
one white one brown,
rolling a red matchbox car
on the airport lobby floor.

Their young mothers watch,
one with curly auburn hair.
One wears a white head scarf
smiling approval across the aisle.

Fellow travelers soon forget
delayed departure worries,
and transform into a community
as they watch the children play.

Two businessmen abruptly arrive,
glare disgust towards their wives,
move family and belongings
to opposite sides of the room.

The boarding call finally announced,
relieved passengers gather bags
and proceed in line down the ramp
while the babies continue to cry.