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
Copyright © Marckincia Jean | Year Posted 2019
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