Air Berlin 8526

The hour is ungodly.
The weather in the Liepzig area is adverse.
Before we can be cleared for take-off,
the ice and snow is cleared from the Boeing's wings
using high-powered jets of hot water.
The names Byrne, Jones, Edwards, Colman,
Taylor, Whelan, Pegg and Bent race through my mind.
For it was on a runway not so very far from here,
in not so dissimilar conditions,
almost 38-years-ago to the day,
that the Busby Babes made their date with fate.
It's the reason why both my father and my uncle
support Manchester United to this day.
Out of sympathy.
We accelerate into the raging maw
of the blizzard and are
engulfed.