NEXT STOP

an airtight smile
loiters on her
empty face.

at first it transfixes
then perplexes
the beholder.

she sits amidst crowded pews
listening to closing doors
and bells of departures
compelled to run away
from an eventual past.

a phantom destiny
lies beyond this
foreclosed present.

armed with valuable nothings
she chooses a car to anywhere
as a random map unfolds
to unknown destinations.

ferries and trains
or the kindness of strangers
there's always some place else to go.

but there is solace
in the usual haunt
away from pursuers
away from the rain.

bed and breakfast
and little yellow pills
from the men in white coats
who know her so well.

she goes through the motions
she's been there before
til she gladly leaves
for the next destination.

Reviews

[Leslie Philibert]

This is a very good poem, I like the way it tells the story with movement, with trains, with bread and breakfast, and the sadness it transports, good write.

[Mark]

"eventual past", one that can not be escaped? Is chasing the phantom destiny a symptom or a cause? Interesting write, your imagery is startling and hits me in the gut. Well done.

[Black Hole Halo]

A candid look into a "phantom" destiny, I liked your poem.

[Alex Vidmar]

I have to say, I absolutely love this! Life in the looney bin! Well done!

[writing mojo]

this was an amazing ride on the rails of madness, your flow shard and disjointed is perfect and unique, and intertwined with self as misery, the perfect amount of peek a boo imagery which leaves the shallow minded deep with Melony expression..amazing stuff

[Lunny]

this is an awesome poem! you set up a great tone and atmosphere, I feel like it's numb, like her emotions are I guess.

[Pax Analog]

Poignantly engaging change-up -- road trip to chemically falling through the cracks in the rubber room. On the road to nowhere the pit stops scream irony.

[Blindfolded]

So many places to go and so many things to do. I hope the next stop is always better than the last stop..

[khalid]

oh wowww, that is really great in flow and rhyme, but soo difficult vocabulary items have been used..i think i need the dictionary sooo badly to get such a poem..

[K.C. Zbryk]

I love the observations paired with the unusual vocabulary create a very unique picture of this person. I love how this seems to flow from one detail to the next, highlighting the the location and how it adds to the character, then moving on to the destination. You created such a haunting picture, and a hypnotizing poem. Fantastic work.