Home » Poems » Warren Mbaht » The Man At the Bus Stop

The Man At the Bus Stop

Poet's Notes

(Show)

Become a Premium Member and post notes and photos about your poem like Warren Mbaht.

Listen to poem:

After I came home from work one day, and sitting down for tea
I looked out the window, and was surprised to see
A person sitting out there, as if waiting for a bus
The last one for the day had gone, now that will make him cross

When I looked out there later, he was still sitting on the seat
Just as if there was someone, that he was supposed to meet
I thought no more about as I went up to my bed
I said nothing to my wife, there was nothing to be said

When I looked out in the morning, the stranger was still there
He was rubbing something on his teeth, and combing scraggly hair
I thought that I should talk to him, see what he was about
Didn't really want him, near the house while I was out

There was no need to worry though, when I went out for the bus
He was nowhere to be seen, could have saved a bit of fuss
I was pleased when I came home again, and he was not around
But twenty minutes later, at the bus stop safe and sound

I wondered if I really had, the right to get upset
Really in a free world, he has same rights as me, but yet
I have a wife and family, I leave alone all day
Though not to worry anyone, is there something I could say

I will go out in the morning and have a little chat
Explain to him my feelings, there can be no harm in that
Getting up next morning to go out early for my ride
Thing  is he has gone out again, just like an ebbing tide

That day I came home early, just have to sort this out
Once again he was not there, until I was about
I went outside to see him, and just have a little chat
Had to put my mind at rest, there is no harm in that

He said he did not have a home, did not want to sleep in town
Said he didn't feel safe there, looking at me with a frown
He said I only come to stay, when I see that you are here
Would not upset your family, for a thousand cans of beer

Now the currency he spoke about, was one that I would use
Now I really felt more happy, that he did not play a ruse
When you deal with unknown people, being truthful is the key
Then when I looked  him in the eye, it felt that way to me

He was there about a week or so, things went ok for him
That was until the night it rained, he nearly had to swim
Looking out said to my wife, that he will end up dead
Would she let me offer him, a birth out in the shed

She raised no objection, I had no thought that she would
We would just need to move some things, and half a load of wood
I went out to get him, brought him in to give a hand
He was so very  thankful, as if I had offered him the Grand

I told him of the toilet, and the sink on the back wall
He said he would be good as gold, make no fuss at all
Saying  my goodnight to him, went out and closed the door
That was when I heard him cry, I was unsure no more

Next morning when the sun was out, and everything was dry
I told my wife about last night, when I heard the stranger cry
We must do something for him, we have help that we could give
We just can't let this go on, is no way for him to live

I went out to the shed to say, he could stay there for a while
But when I got inside, what was missing was his smile
A note was on the wood heap, would be easy there to see
I read it then I went inside, the next one to cry was me

I showed it to my loving wife, so she could have a go
Misery is catching, that is one thing that I know
Apparently his wife had died, he had no one to care
He found he could not pay the rent, without a wage to share

So he left and did the right thing, that is so he thought
But we could fix the shed up, if a bit of stuff we bought
How could we ever find him, to tell him of the news
We asked some friends and relloes, could they offer any clues

Place a note in papers, for fifty miles around
Be a waste of time on radio, he wouldn't hear the sound
Then out of the blue an answer came, he had not gone too far
He rang to tell is where he was, we went straight there by car

Now take a big jump forward, up to the present day
He fixed up the flat and found a job, but the best thing I can say
Is that he also found a lady, to help fulfil his life
So for a while she now has been, his loving caring wife

We are happy to belong to them, just as they belong to us
It never would have come about, had he been waiting for a bus

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.