The Subway
I wonder what the Subway has seen today
if she’s rolled her eyes in exasperation at the hesitant shuffling of tourists during rush hour
if she’s heaved smoke at the folded over men eyeing schoolgirls
if she’s laughed along at the city spirit
if she’s barreled through a bit quicker for the businessman frantically checking his watch
amidst the hectic platform I observe her icy metal close out one group and house another
she hurdles away
rodents prance back out behind her as if they know their place within this city shelter
a little girl walks by with a box of candy
I notice her mother is not too close behind
the Subway barrels through and the hopeful pair are greeted by her apathetic inhabitants
I wonder if she prefers the apathy
I wonder if she only likes it for herself and if the cop on the platform playing candy crush is bothersome
the Subway barrels through once more and I step into her embrace
she hasn’t reserved a place for me today
I grab at her steel and hone in on a hand cream model behind a construction worker
you can’t see much of her face anymore
I wonder if the Subway minds much
a backpack hits my arm and a pimply face mumbles something that resembles an apology
the Subway stops as abruptly as usual
the people around me rotate
a scruffy man in a newsboy hat falls into a seat next to a man holding a saxophone
a group of girls start laughing in the corner
a few men in suits start arguing over an upcoming Cancun trip
I wonder if the Subway rolled her eyes
a man with bloodshot eyes and shredded pants sits next to the only empty seat
my music stutters as the subway drives us deeper underground
a few people stumble as she lurches to a halt
I stand and begin to give the subway my goodbye
the man with bloodshot eyes stands behind me
I notice his odor as he moves closer
I look up at the steel doors before me willing them to let me through
the Subway doors open for my exit
I walk through and watch as her doors slam shut before the barely standing man
I wonder if she did that for me
I wonder what the Subway has seen and done today
So many images and characters! I love how you throw them at the reader so effortlessly. I also love your personification of the subway, and I love that it is female. Makes me want to read a male version of the subway, just to compare. So so interesting. Wow
ReplyDeletethis was truly stunning and brilliant. whenever I'm on the subway I love watching the people and thinking about who they may be or where they may be going but shifting the people watching to watching the train was so smart. You did such an amazing job with the details that it felt so personal and real. I really loved this
ReplyDeleteamazing job! your personification of the subway is so detailed and engaging. I love the descriptions of all the different people. I especially like the line, "I step into her embrace"- what a cool way to describe getting on the subway! :)
ReplyDeleteThere’s an accumulation of what the subway “does and sees”, and in a way you crafted this poem to build a sort of connection and relationship. With each line, the relationship becomes stronger— or more serious. You notice what the subway feels, and in turn you question if the subway feels for you too— resulting in a caring action: “I wonder if the subway did that for me.” You give character, and you build on that characters relationship with you in a rational manner. I think that’s great.
ReplyDeleteI love your personification of the "character" of the subway, as well as your inclusion of different aspects and characters, that somehow seem to be a constant, seeing as everyone seems to have met them. You did a great job by giving reason and intention to the seemingly rote and mundane "actions" of the subway,
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