“shouldn’t have messed with
that coke shit,” he grumbles. “all
things come to an end.”
March 2008
32 posts
“my son drank from a
cup at five months,” she says. “these
kids are so advanced.”
he makes a sour
face, and scoffs audibly at
each person who boards.
people read bibles
more often than newspapers
on their trolley rides.
“i’m non-orthodox,”
the jewish guy says. “it’s all
bacon and shiksas.”
she tries to appear
dignified, even though her
feet don’t reach the floor.
the baby has such
deep eyes, i’m shocked when he speaks,
and sounds babyish.
the boys confer on
what insult to text to their
friend. gay jokes abound.
she sings to herself,
looks embarrassed when someone
sees, but starts again.
the accountant stares
at a business card, as if
he’s decoding it.
she watches something
on her iPod. i can’t help
watching the window.
this morning we’re crammed
in like sardines (except for
the oil part, thank god).
Play
she shuffles down the
stairs we need to get into -
loves the attention.
“oh, portugal! my
second wife died over there,”
he says cheerfully.
when i sit, she looks
disturbed, like i sat in her
lap, or on her kid.
the guy pops, locks, and
grins, and his girlfriend watches,
fully mortified.
i’m confused by those
who push to be at the door
blocks before their stop.
the couple stare at
each other, making funny
faces, ‘til one laughs.
the old woman leans
back; her glasses fall from her
head into my lap.
