Busy Night on the Metro

petals, floating like paper lanterns through the sticky midsummer air 

people, pushing each other like wrestlers to get on the train

me, I wait on the platform for the end of the rush hour fighting

time does not wait for anyone and the train doors start to beep

I glance at my phone, I’ll be late for my Zoom interview if I don’t-

please stand back from the train doors

people, groaning as I leap onto the train,

plastering my face against someone’s foul armpit,

accidentally shoving a grandma’s trolley aside to make space 

the train doors close with a definitive bang

I tell myself I am safe, even when sandwiched between an angry army of bodies