Lovely Commute, Lovely Day
Originally published in "Like a Moth on a Pin"
Rattletrap bus
This “luxury coach” is the worst I’ve seen
In a year.
Everything squeaks.
In row 2 on the left,
A man radiates a stealth smell
Not immediately offensive
It creeps up and offends from 2 rows away,
Aided by the recirculated air
It seeks you out.
In ten minutes I’m gagging
Now it hangs on me like bad cologne.
In rows 1 and 2 on the right
A couple can’t sit together
Despite having plenty of room.
He has a Bluetooth ear phone
But talks to no one but her, behind him.
She has a huge iPhone,
Bedazzled all over with
Extra bling hanging off
That snags her pocket.
She’s on the phone all the time
Very loud
In five minutes everyone on the bus
Knows her itinerary and
The names and schedules of all her kids
And most of her friends.
What a privilege!
A truck passes us
Debris flies off of its roof and
Splatters on the bus like shit.
The driver hits the wipers
Smearing the shit on the windows,
Distorting the world.
Relocated in the back,
A college student and I
Sit across the aisle from each other
Eyes wide in horror,
Awaiting release.
(4/19/16)
About the Creator
Gene Lass
Gene Lass is a professional writer and editor, writing and editing numerous books of non-fiction, poetry, and fiction. Several have been Top 100 Amazon Best Sellers. His short story, “Fence Sitter” was nominated for Best of the Net 2020.
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