The Bus Wait and Ride

It is good that the bus
Will take few minutes more
You have started this route
On a new job.
I have been going
To mine over twenty five years.



Many are faces never
Having volunteered
A name or a fact.
Just that acknowledging
Half-smile
And short eye contact.
Might as well be saying
“Here we go again.
Have a good one today, Bud.
Weather is shaping up.”



Guy in the talkers’ bench
Next to driver, talks
Endlessly about local
Hockey win last night.
Shamelessly without
Taking a breath.
Knows a headful of names, statistics.
Season’s tickets.



Driver responds in monosyllables.
But you my young Friend are
Looking for connection.
A friendly talk
A bit of local news.
Almost over-eager.
Wonder how far
You went in school?



It is an uphill battle.
COVID muzzled us all
Made distance, staying
Alone. Silence.
Some kind of social virtue.
NOT… I say not.
Sure I’ll talk.
What’s your name?
Mine’s Wayne.
Working at a steel fab shop.
Down Hanson.