Airport Diorama, Edmonton International

Customs
A large area lit with glaring LED at 12 a.m. emblazes an expanse of terrazzo, three baggage carousels like lumbering beasts burping bags are surrounded by multiple figures of different heights and widths, additional figures are dotted randomly across the floor funneling into a single line guarded by a uniformed figure, each dressed in winter coats, each with blurred, painted features and holding one paper slip in their right hand, one figure set aside dressed in black from head to heels, placed behind a metal cart stacked with two box-like suitcases and turned to face a single closed exit door.

Arrivals
A dimly lit area, stark in decor, encircled by thick painted metal benches hard-fixed to concrete floors, with a small cluster of figures placed behind a metal railing, all positioned to face the same direction and a petite, straight-backed figure that’s slightly offset from the group, also turned in the same direction, fashioned with a cream-colored face and black cat’s eye spectacles then topped with dyed shoulder-length black hair, dressed in a purple down coat, tan slacks and short fur-trimmed boots and a square black purse draped over the left shoulder, hands necklaced together, the area of which is entombed by a semi-circle of closed exit doors.

Parking
Figure (originally made taller and slimmer) with a round brown head and thick sloping shoulders topped with a square hairline of thinning silver-peppered black hair combed away from matching caterpillar brows, framed within a metal passenger seat window of a 1999 Twilight Blue Pearl Toyota Corolla parked behind a coin-operated meter (fixed at 10 minutes), facing the inner expanse of a frosted, muddy windshield as flecks of gray-white ash fall softly in the lamp lit night.

*press red button to operate snow maker and lights


Natasha N. Deonarain is the author of two chapbooks, 50 études for piano (Assure Press Publishing) and urban disorders (Finishing Line Press). She’s the winner of the 2020 Three Sisters Award by NELLE magazine and Best of the Net Nominee by Rogue Agent Journal. She was born in South Africa, grew up in Canada and now lives in Arizona. Find her on Instagram@RealPajamaPoet.

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