Ilene Bauer Poet Rhyme

On the Shuttle

The shuttle travels back and forth,
Grand Central to Times Square.
Since they’re the only stops it makes,
You’re either here or there.

The ride is barely long enough
For any thoughts to sprout,
‘Cause in a minute, maybe two,
The doors will spit you out.

But in my car today, there was
A sleeping man who reeked;
If he had used deodorant,
It long ago had peaked.

I wonder just how many times
He’d traveled forth and back,
Repelling all but those
Whose sense of smell they seemed to lack.

The city grabs your senses
In a way not very subtle.
The proof of that was there today,
Malodoring the shuttle.

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Jerry Bolton February 16, 2014 at 9:35 AM Ah, Ilene, this brings back a bad time in my life. I was one the streets, no where to lay my head this particular night. I found an unlocked car. Got in the backseat and slept the night away. Come morning I was awakened with a guy opening the back door of the car and I thought I was going to have to fight my way out of that car. But I didn't. I said I had no place to go last night. He checked the interior of the vehicle and then told me not to worry about it, he would have done the same thing. Jerry Bolton February 16, 2014 at 9:59 AM Yep. I missed it. I lived, worked and married a woman in New York, I should have snapped to it. Ilene Bauer February 16, 2014 at 9:47 AM hey jerry! that's a great story. i mean, i'm sorry you were in such dire straits, but it's wonderful that the car owner was so understanding. i'm not sure how i would have reacted to that. ~ in my poem, the "car" i was referring to was the subway (shuttle) car in which i had been riding, not my own car. sorry for the confusion - it obviously wasn't too clear in the poem.

Tim Ryerson February 16, 2014 at 4:17 AM Are you SERIOUS my friend?? A man sleeping in your car? He must have been homeless and knowing you, I bet you helped him out in some way...Your style is unmistakable. Signiture style is what is called...sign of a VERY good poet - Tim Ilene Bauer February 16, 2014 at 9:44 AM thank you so much, tim! i have to clarify, though - when i said "in my car," i meant in the subway car i was riding in - guess i wasn't clear enough. someone who regularly rides the shuttle would understand, but i realize that out-of-towners might not. sorry for the confusion!

Robert Pettit February 16, 2014 at 3:08 AM I see (and smell) plenty of those kinds of individuals on the boardwalk in Atlantic City as well. Another great write, Ilene. Ilene Bauer February 16, 2014 at 9:42 AM it's sad for them as well as for anyone in close contact. no one should have to live like that. ~ thanks for reading and commenting, robert!

Kayod5 Kayode February 15, 2014 at 11:09 PM This is captivating Bauer and I really enjoyed it.Great. Ilene Bauer February 16, 2014 at 9:40 AM thank you so much for reading my poems and for commenting! much appreciated...

Robert Johnson February 15, 2014 at 10:03 PM Your daily trials and tribulations that you experiance in your relations. Give all us here in internet nation. Alot of joy and grand elation. Peace. :) And love the word malodoring. :) Robert Johnson February 16, 2014 at 9:48 AM That's exactly what I was thinking when I read it. But I figured you being a teacher and all. :) I said to myself, well if it isn't a word, it ought to be. Peace :) Ilene Bauer February 16, 2014 at 9:40 AM thanks for stopping by, robert! i always enjoy your comments. i wasn't sure if that was a word, but i liked the way it sounded...