My Sunday Bus Ride
I sat in front to observe the bus devour miles
She sat in front; she was about 14 years old
The dark circles under her eyes were not…
The only sign that something seemed amiss
It was the look of deep sadness which adored her face
I felt compelled to ask her if she was alright
I thought better not, and went back to my reading
I looked up and was alarmed by the despair reflected
In those dark pools - muddled with hopelessness
I thought better not, and went back to my reading
I took a break to observe the others’
An old woman wheeled two bags – her ambulating vault
Of treasures. In the back a young woman rested behind...
a huge box which read: "My First Kitchen,” It seemed too big
To carry on foot, yet worth the delight of her kid
I looked up and was alarmed by her acute sadness
I blurted, “Are you alright?” She smile and said,
“Yes, I just fell off my bike,” Her stop came soon
And said, “Thank you, goodbye.” As she tentatively
Smiled, I offered her the sweetest smile in-kind
The bus driver was done with her shift; she left as
Evidence of her existence a Twix wrapper on the floor
She wore baggy black pants which rode below her ass
The loose blue shirt, completed her Chola look. She left
Without saying goodbye, she seemed absent all the while
I walked to Olvera St. to contemplate the shrine
Of La Virgen de Guadalupe. It was awash with a sea
Of roses and lit candles. I sat on the bricks surrounding a tree
A woman wrapped in a poncho sat next to me. I was compelled
To ask her if she was alright, what did I have to lose?
We talked for a while about the nature of her plight
Later she asked me if I was a psychologist, and I said:
“No. Yet, never mind, you have to snap out of this funk!”
After some time I stood to take leave. I opened my arms
And asked her if she wanted a hug…
She looked up at me with fresh tears in her eyes
I embraced her and she sobbed vigorously with a force
That shook us both. As she rested her weary face on
My bosom, I patted her head streaked with gray, and before
I parted, I said: “It will be alright….trust that it will be alright.”
.
