there’s a buzz on new
year’s, and i don’t just mean the
passengers are buzzed.
December 2008
31 posts
her legs are splayed to
guard her giant suitcase on
both overstuffed sides.
they seem like they’re on
a first date; and he should’ve
sprung for a taxi.
everyone looks plump
and proud in new clothes after
their holiday breaks.
apologetic,
she protests when i stop the
car on her behalf.
a child wets his pants.
i’ll forget tomorrow; he’ll
always remember.
large, bright, dressed all in
green, she reminds me of a
smiling christmas tree.
they’re overdressed and
grinning, vibrating with love
and shared excitement.
people visiting
family in south jersey
wear their finest sweats.
i always smile when
i see someone board with a
hot casserole dish.
i could swear that she’s
turning out her ankles so
her boots’ fringe will twirl.
she marches, her clothes
as neat and bland as any
marching band costume.
old man keeps glancing
at his wrist, despite the fact
that he has no watch.
men in cabbie hats
greeting each other with warm
words and warmer smiles.
she pulls a camera
out and aims at a stranger.
we’re kindred spirits!
her backpack is so
stuffed, when she sits, her body
arches backwards hard.
i wonder what else
he thinks we think he’s drinking
from a paper bag.
dyslexic signage:
a bus cheerfully offers
a “welcome abroad!”
she reads txts aloud:
“you’re the first blonde i’ve ever
been with. feel special.”
a man talks to a
group of kids who mock him while
he isn’t looking.
