The Shift

The​​ Shift

the bus is crowded today

it’s​​ hot​​ and noisy

the scene shifts at each stop

people get on;​​ 

people get off

each person​​ uninvited

one more and then another

strangers​​ packed in​​ close

confined​​ ​​ for a few blocks

moving in a common direction

the office workers

the dock hands

the homeless

the students

the parents

all of us jostling our work bags

or all our worldly possessions

it’s just too much today

my stop can’t come soon enough

but then,

the magic happens

that​​ father three​​ rows​​ up​​ 

standing while his​​ 

children sit and he works​​ 

determined​​ to comb the

little girl’s hair; struggling to get

all the ribbons just right;

finally getting

some​​ help​​ from anther rider

working hard as the bus jostles us all

and then it’s done

she’s ready

he’s proud

Hell, we’re all proud

they step off together

all of us watch them

headed to school

holding hands

Where else?

Where else? ​​