samhain tribute

I was waiting for the bus
on a Sunday
when my chariot arrived,
I greet the bus driver.

Begnning the conversation,
I spoke to her of about
the day
what I'm doing, where
and how much they paid.

She had lighter skin than I,
the driver.

I stood in front in the crowded bus
she showed me pictures of her son

surely

I knew about his father --
there but not really
visits just once a month per
their final decree
stopping in
saying hi to her
wife,
a quick dinner
then onward to the routine
all in hum-drum splendor

Just inside downtown
which seemed a shorter ride
thanks to the conversation,
an older woman about 90 or so
ambles about on with her walker
keeping her up

the driver flips the switch
releasing the automatic lift
old lady walks up to it
stands on the platform
and is raised and carried into the bus

she pays her fare walks toward a seat
immediately emptied by a man who knows
that respect and consideration
must be given to our
honored passengers

I move out of the way
move a little to the middle of the bus
and ride silently to my stop
alighting at the Courthouse Square

the driver, as I leave
thanks me for
being so considerate.

"honey," I said
"her feets were tired."
she smiles, I smile
and I exit out the back door

Standing on the sidewalk
in front of the Living Room
I look across the street and
see high schoolers
mingling
some geeks, some goths some hackysackers
all taking to one another
each one different slightly
beneath the make up and the
veneer of fashion

I think about what I said to the driver
as I got off the bus
I stand at my destination
realizing just exactly
how far we've come.