Tolstoy Train (June 4th, 2013)

 

I take the train in June

across from Mr. Suit

he’s reading War and Peace

and I am screeching with the wheels

some girl says:

“on to the next one

I’ll get over him with ramen soup

and filling up the parking lot with tears”

 

I am a thinker

not a breather

I spend my hours

recycling one word

there’s no survival kit yet

but don’t you fret

I’ll be getting over myself

someday soon

 

I take the train to try

to breathe and dream and fly

but he’s still reading War and Peace

and I’m still screeching with the wheels

some boy says

“what’s that you’re writing there”

I stare and glare

I’m statuesque

until his stop

 

I am a thinker

not a breather

I spend my hours

recycling one word

there’s no survival kit yet

but don’t you fret

I’ll be getting over myself

someday soon…

 

I take the bus instead

to try and clear my head

but now the Suit’s on to Anna Karenina

and I am mute

one soul's as ghostly as the next one

just as interchangeable

as shiny meter change

 

I am a thinker

not a breather

I spend my hours

recycling one word

there’s no survival kit

no getting over it

and Ramen Girl’s noodles

are cold in the microwave