Five Bus Sketches

The 125 rolls out of the station
black puff above her roof
twenty on board – all looking ahead;
lets out a hiss before turning
blue/gray scow limps along 111th
leaving Glenora to fend for itself
on a rainy monday night

——

I took this route twenty five years ago
before everything happened
before I needed to shave
too much time has passed
too many people forgotten —
don’t write to record anymore,
write to remember

——

She’s no more than thirteen
but when she runs for the bus
all the workadays give her a squeeze,
try her on in their heads—
everyone’s a slut
everyone’s a cheater
the problem is living with it

——

Drinking gin on the 50 used to be
a hobby until I got
booted off for foul language
I deserved it but
I was only looking for someone;
someone to see
to care

——

A man wearing Davey Crockett attire
rides the five religiously
He looks very comfortable in his
suede leather suit
I wonder if he owns a musket,
or maybe a front loader;
maybe an ex wife