The Metro

The Metro At the metro Railroad cars run on steel, metal tracks above and below ground A narrow pathway in the dark A screeching halt A loud whistle A train is approaching now Subway lines follow their route Straphangers await their stop Pressed suits and shiny shoes Read the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal Parade the train at 34th And exit at 42nd Train...half empty Passengers squeeze into tiny spaces on car seats People hover over one another and pack the cars past capacity Some won’t move to make room Pregnant women stand and wait The elderly, no mercy School children with backpacks heavy with books , press down their shoulders glide down their backs They stand on the edge of the platform With smartphone as a distraction Tourists looking ‘round Study maps And ask for directions in their foreign tongue False admirers Look on Strange lips and eyes Smile and lock eyes “It” in disguise A heightened discomfort A daily occurrence On public transportation Put on your big girl pants And be brave, man Beggars board every few seconds Young men and women dance and sing And ask for a donation The loud speaker constantly remind train riders to keep their money in their pockets : “Ladies and gentlemen soliciting money in the subway is illegal. We ask you not to give. Please help us to maintain an orderly subway.” Mariachi bands sing harmoniously Felix Navidad - “I want to wish you a Merry Christmas from the bottom of my heart” What are the other songs about? If not love , Than what? social issues and politics? I’m lost in the city But my spirit is not gone I’ll find my way I’ll carry on Some sell candy for a dollar To support their basketball team And to keep them off the streets The homeless of the city occupy train seats Their strong odor cause many to leave There they sleep to combat winter’s chill and freeze Here they find shade on summer days Here they find cover in the rain come autumn and spring The blind may come with a stick or a canine at their service, And the dog almost always leaves b fore the door closes The dog leads the way And almost always exit the train before the double doors closed in Fare hikes leave customers with strong feelings Simply put, rising fares leave customers hating the MTA Marckincia Jean Free verse 07/22/19