Local 41 - Eyes And Faces Poem by Val Brooklyn Rogers

I boarded local 41 uptown with two
Other people.
Woman in RED happily discovered a seat.
Quickly sliding in, casting a brown eyed
glance my Way as If I were a competitor.
A young High school student with a marine
hair cut boarded the bus
And spoke to the bus driver with
glowing CARAMEL SKIN.

A sleeping GENT snored permitting me
Careful passage to the rare of the bus
Catching each strap to avoid falling.
The bus swayed and swerve same as an
Amusement park ride. I pondered on the
Dying of the day. The passengers became
My TEMPORARY FAMILY, AND THE BUS, MY
refuge. I gladly saught glee in every
Face, forgetting the RAT RACE, and
Ambitions and dreams of BIGGER DREAMS.

A TEENAGER chatted on her cell phone
In muffled tones, trying to ease the
Irritation she was causing. Other
Passengers searched at every stop light
Through the Windows for interesting sights
And frights and fights.
Others daydreamed waiting. Some watched
Me with distracted smiles.

Staring at strangers. They stared back.
The crowd thinned. In a opposite seat
From mine a man spoke 'GOOD AFTERNOON'
WITH HAUNTING EYES staring into me.
I wondered what he thought, and
Contemplated what he wondered.
His Green leather jacket caught my eye.

A large truck barreled passed. He
raised his brow.
I grew cynical and looked away.

It could be any other city where
Sirens wailed. An ambulance began
An aggravating abrupt scream.
Racing beside our bus. I listened to
The DIN of the city scene as it
Grew loudly animated.
NEW YORK CITY USA Indeed! Indeed!

SAD BLUE EYES claimed a seat beside
A curly haired youth. I made
Deliberate maneuvers through the crowd
until my Filthy black boots kissed solid
Ground.

Some curious seekers on board watched
With wide eyed enjoyment for early
CHRISTMAS shopping DESPERATION as the
Bus loaded and unloaded passengers.
It departed. I walked seven happy
Minutes HOME.