Quiet on the Train

pretty much an allegory for city life in general

People pushing, crowding

Not daring to look in each other’s eyes

Jostling for an empty seat            

A baby is hushed and glared at as it cries

Absorbed in their books

Texting or playing games on phones

Surrounded by so many  

Every one of them is utterly alone

Don’t say anything at all

Or make a noise other than a sigh             

Nice people will ignore you

But others will rudely roll their eyes

Teens laugh and talk       

Raising the ire of the older crowd

Disdainful looks are passed

Don’t they know, no fun is allowed?

Yappity yap yap yap

A phone call disrupts the silence 

She sounds so dumb       

The train is on the verge of violence

It is happening to me

Why, it was just the other day

A remark was made and

I politely smiled and looked away.