A BUS RIDE

you wait in your temporary cage
looking out the plastic windows,
sheltered, waiting for the bus.

when it finally arrives,
you take the necessary steps.
you try and fail to find yourself a seat.

it is too crowded on this bus.
you stand, clinging desperately
to the bar above you for support.

you try not to notice the hands
that come from nowhere and disappear,
taking responsibility for nothing.

at each stop, the sweating bodies
sway a little [caught off guard]
you practice self control,
you hold yourself up.

after a while you forget
you are riding, standing,
clinging onto something
consciously.

these dreams are all you have
to keep you erect, level-headed,
standing, waiting oh so patiently
for the stop you are about to miss.

©Copyright 2004 Sheila Cook.