a quick glimpse of hell

for a million

dollars

you can get into a plastic

tube

and go to the center

of the earth.

they lower you on wires,

into a hole made

by a Chinese drill.

the tube is the size

of a phone booth, but

six people on

top of each other

can fit in, if everyone is

naked and greased down

with vegetable oil.

there's a bottle

of water to share,

to be passed around.

taking turns breathing

is a good idea.

the ride takes about

a day

and lowers you

to the core of the planet,

bypassing molten lava

and spumes

of steam.

when you get there,

put your goggles on

and take a quick glimpse

of hell.

don't touch the glass.

then back up you go

to check the ride

off your bucket list.