Interview On A Train Poem by Sheila Knowles

There was a short man
sitting in front of me
on the train this morning
having an interview on his cell phone
couldn’t quite work out the accent
but an English voice in a German train
always captures the attention

so I dropped my book
and gave him the quick once-over
beige cords
cream turtleneck
loafers
salon hair
and those perfect moon cuticles
the casual smart look
that seems to be hiding something
……or nothing

a paper bag of grapes
was perched beside him on the seat
for the vitamins (no doubt)
or maybe for the detox
yes
that would fit with the bottle of water
and the faint smell
of sour whiskey bleeding through
his manicured pores

and after a moment
he pulled the phone away from his ear
and glanced at me
I think I was making him paranoid

well

I can only hope so