In a New York Subway

characters within the city

The bustling of bodies
         shaking off the excess…

moisture, from the
downpour Scott from
Channel 9 News said there
would be.

strain, of the
morning over coffee
and burnt toast,
again with the whys
and the wheres
and with who.

memories, like a flash
napalm, screams, blood,
stray arms belonging
to no one.

fear, from the
dog on the other side
of the fence and
the officer just
out of reach.

cold, of the
concrete and cardboard,
wet socks
with holes
and wind, like mini-cyclones
caught in the doorway.

All aboard…
         metal steps,
                   oil and grease,
briefcases,
         backpacks,
                   purses,
umbrellas for the lucky,
newspapers soaked thru,
suit jackets,
         camo pants,
         black hoodies…hiding watchful eyes,
but not
         wet socks with holes.