waiting for the bus
almost midnight
the station seemingly deserted
scattered plumes of breath reveal
pieces of landscape to be
people, cold and tired
wanting only to be somewhere else

one by one
buses begin to arrive
the last gathering of the night
before they sprinkle their passengers
across the countryside
and retire to a warm garage

aboard the bus
the occupants begin to thaw
soon animated by the warmth
and anticipation of home
conversations erupt in
the crude language of the night
discussing the sordid details
of the day's activities

approaching my stop
I give the cord a gentle jerk
and observe with satisfaction
the bus complying
coming to a stop in the
middle of nowhere, then

continuing on without me
as I trudge off
into the chilly shadows

 

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