People On the Bus

Ladies sitting on a bus with nothing much to discuss
Just the daughter’s wedding and the fuss
As another passenger gets on the bus
The sales are on “jeans and tops” she declares
Now she really got a bargain there
Idle chatter without any meaning
While I sit on the bus idly dreaming
The faces telling so many tales
For the working man there are no cocktails
There isn’t a stretch limo for the poor
Or even a taxi that’s for sure
People like the bus on a roundabout
Accepting not protesting with a shout
Being jostled and pushed by the crowd
Like automatons nothing proud
Accepting mediocrity like a shroud 
A pimply young youth out for a lark
A man who for forty years has been a clerk
Both chatting together looking at an advert
Exciting young escorts for the convert
A child tries to sneak on for free
The driver on the lookout uniformed tyranny
A cashier from Woolies, who’s name is Shirl
Her companion trying to give her a whirl
Two excited students chatting in Chinese
As the driver says ‘Lady pay your fare please”
The woman embarrassed shows her pension card
That’s all she gets for working so hard
On the production line in the factory at Pritchard
The old drunk with sacred flask in pocket
When emptied, his courage soars like a rocket
The Greek on his way to his second job
The giggling girl and her latest heart throb
A constant blur of humanity filing in and out
Never the rich or the ones with clout
Just the deprived the old and the thrifty
Over the years a sea of ever changing faces
Heading for work, shopping, footie or the races
Humanity squeezed into a fourteen ton carriage
Jostled and bumped in a never ending marriage.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

Poem

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Dietrich Avatar
November 29, 2011 at 9:52 PM
wow, I just love how you capture the condition of the majority of the world, just mediocre and eking out a living. You are wonderful at story telling, Lizzie. Time to fave you if I haven't already!! Luv, Andrea
Culverhouse Avatar
November 29, 2011 at 8:20 PM
enjoyed the ride!! have not been much of a bus rider....but would like to maybe.
Treetop Avatar
November 29, 2011 at 8:32 PM
In Australia the bus is an important means of transportation, we even have special busways. It cuts trips in peak hours way down. DARLING AMERICANS IN YOUR BEAUTIFUL CARS -Believe me I'll take a car over the bus anytime!
Wesley Avatar
November 29, 2011 at 4:45 PM
At least your interesting variety of riders make the trip worthwhile. The rich can be very dull sometimes but we who ride the bus are the salt of the earth. Quite a story Lizzy - u dun good!
Johnson Avatar
November 28, 2011 at 9:18 PM
Drove buses a little while, see my wharfie poem, might bring a smile, went under a low bridge once, ventilation vents they just went crunch, trust you said the inspector:) at once...
A   Avatar
November 28, 2011 at 6:57 PM
Hi, Lizzie...I'm very intrigue by your mail... oi~ did you know you would never catch me on a bus... I'd rather hitchhike.. anyways.. about your poem: i can just imagine all of life's problem bottled in one 14 ton carriage... I am pleased to know gossip and heart break and laughter can all travel together.... enjoyed your poem... lol.. now go and dash my new haiku... i tried ..honestly i really did... enjoy..p.d.
Treetop Avatar
November 28, 2011 at 7:42 PM
Stone the crows!!! Now I have aggravated all the poeple who do not ride on the bus!!!! Tell you this Poetry stuff is like treading on eggs! :) :) :)Darling I'll write a bike poem one day just for my lovely Linda!
Kearley Avatar
November 28, 2011 at 4:00 PM
I really liked this write :o) I felt like I was right there on the bus.Very nice..(o: Oh! And thank you for your lovely comments...So much appreciated...
Lane Avatar
November 28, 2011 at 6:39 AM
You see them the way I do. There is beauty in everyone. Except teenagers, no one wants to see that.
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