Seat-Seekers

Two fat guys on a subway train,
Taking lots of space,
Had room enough between them
For a thin one to embrace.

A standing pole prevented
Easy access to the seat
So most of us considered
It not worth it to compete.

But twice, new passengers approached
And asked one guy to move,
A question totally ignored
For he was in his groove.

With phone in hand and head kept down
He blew off the request
And acted like he wasn’t
The malingerer addressed.

The first seat-seeker merely shrugged;
Resigned himself to stand.
The second asked again and then
Took matters into hand.

He squeezed into the little gap
And made himself at home,
Inspiring admiration and 
The spur to write this poem.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

Poem

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Rigoler Avatar
October 23, 2019 at 9:54 AM
This reminds me of when I flew one time. I had a window seat (my favorite), and the other passenger had the aisle seat. Then this Goliath of a guy lugging a packed hand bag plopped his rear in the middle seat and forced his bag under the seat in front of him with great difficulty. To make it worse, he smelled and his heavy coat and protruding belly all but obscured the man in the aisle seat. And so it was for the next two hours! Personal hygiene should be mandatory for people flying/ M
Allison Avatar
October 20, 2019 at 5:13 PM
I can picture the scene so clearly Ilene!:-) hugs Jan xx
Wolf Avatar
October 20, 2019 at 4:58 PM
This poem is so cute I can just 'pinch its cheeks.' Bravo, Ilene. A FAVE for me. Smiles,, Gershon
Andresen Avatar
October 18, 2019 at 9:23 AM
- I can see this before my eyes, Ilene :))) - hugs and lovely weekend // Anne-Lise :)
Green Avatar
October 18, 2019 at 8:11 AM
This was really fun to read Ilene, as is all of your work. I could see this scene play out as if I were there. And I for one am glad they didn't move or we might not have had this wonderful poem to read
Johnson Avatar
October 17, 2019 at 8:39 PM
I wouldn't want to sit between to big people because I don't know, but I would think they probably smell. I know, this is offensive to some, but a poem like this brings up all kinds of different sensibilities to consider. Good poem though ilene. :) <3 :)
Leffanta Avatar
October 17, 2019 at 7:55 PM
Well said! In Hawai'i, some are wont to cough on the offender or break wind as they squat down between. Others pretend they have lice or some other irritating malady. One thing is clear, no lout is concerned about shaming his mother! Aloha! Rico
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