Bus Wisdom

A Poem by Deyan

You can usually predict

the quality of a bus ride

by whether or not

the person beside you

bothers to ask

what you are reading

(though of course,

you must forgive them

should they be too absorbed

in their own book

to ask about yours).

Likewise, I find

that bus drivers

are far more enthusiastic

about your presence

on their bus

when you say “hello”

on your way up

and “thank you”

on your way down

(which may come as a surprise

if you’re among the many

who forget

that bus drivers

are people, too).

Learn about your bus drivers.

Listen to the stories they tell

(about his wife’s cooking

or her army days).

Laugh when they shout

“It’s opposite day�"

have a horrible evening!”

as you hop off their bus

at 7 AM.

Soon you will find

that your bus drivers

know your name.

And if you take nothing else

from this bit of bus wisdom:

Leave your “ladies first”

at home

lest you incite the rage

of an independent woman

or androgynous man.

Instead

might I suggest

that your direct

your chivalry

at the man trying anxiously

to herd

three small children

towards to bus doors

or the 12-year-old

with arms full

of baby brother

who their mother

didn’t have time

to take to day-care this morning.

Trust me

when I say

you will make far more people

happy, that way.

© 2013 Deyan

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Reviews

End.

This was awesome! I feel like I have been given a good bit of wisdom here (which I believe was your angle haha). I'm not a bus rider per se, but your empathetic writing and ability to communicate creatively has painted a wonderful picture. I think the highest praise a poem can get is when someone says, "I learned something." I did just that. I look forward to reading more of your work!