The Bus

Poem #5

My favorite part of the ride
is the person who almost misses it
they run that vulnerable run
wave their hand in the air like it's holding a flag
a truce—the forgotten soldier!
wheezing (or laughing) hoping (or doubting)
always a little embarrassed
I love to watch the last one on
...or not
I love the intensity and the humanity of it all
because in the midst of the summertime heat
and the shoving and the smoke
in the midst of eyeballs staring at screens
it's nice to know that there are still people out there
running in the rearview
swinging their bags
and calling for the driver like a child