On the blue line yesterday

On the blue line platform yesterday at the Slauson station
Man 1, black, mid 50's, wearing an LAPD t shirt
Talking to man 2
Mexican, mid 50's, carrying a paper sack that probably held his lunch

Man 1: I aint givin' him none of my money.

Man 2: It's not for him, it's the church.

Man 1: But it's to him. I saw him on TV. You know he used to be living in his car and now he got that big ole church. Talkin' 'bout can yall pay $5.00 for the offering. That man don't need yo money. You see that big ole church?

Man 2: Yeah, but it's for tithe.

Man 1: I tell you like I tell my wife. You can give him yo money but he can't get my money. Think about it. Why you gon pay somebody to give you the word when you can just read the Bible at home for free?

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On the blue line two black women in their early 40's who seem to have just met are talking.

Woman 1: Here he come gittin' on the train again. I aint got no money to give to him. Everybody got a hustle. I wonder if he really blind. He always be on the train. Naw, I aint got it to give. I got kids I got to feed. I'm tryina git home now to git some food to cook for them.

Woman 2: Yeah he always be on here. I need my money. I'm finna go cook too.

Woman 1: That's what I'm talkin' 'bout. I don't even do nona that microwave shit.

Woman 2: That shit aint good for nobody. Really not for no kids. Plus it's too expensive.

Woman 1: Shol is. I buy some real food and cook it. Plus that last longer.

(they briefly ride in silence)

Woman 1: (pulls a shirt from a black plastic bag) Imma git me some pants to go with this.

Woman 2: That is a cute shirt. That's a real cute color.

Woman 1: Thank you. Yeah I like it. I needed to go 'head and git something for me for a change. You know?

Woman 2: Girl yeah. Where you git that?

Woman 1: From the Rainbow offa Rodeo. They got a lotta stuff on sale. Some stuff like fifty percent, forty percent. A lotta stuff.

Woman 2: Yeah I like them but I don't never go to that one. I used to go to the one offa Vernon but I don't go there no more.

Woman 1: Why?

Woman 2: Girl, one day I was up in there and three Mexicans came in there to rob the place. I was like, dang!

Woman 1: That happen to me one time at Ross. Me and my friend was up in there and two dudes came up in there. It was all daylight and shit like 3:00 or some shit and they was at the register. One lady at the register was too nervous to open the drawer and the other guy he was like, "Here, my life is worth more than this money." Shoot, I don't blame em.

Still bus stories

#16 west on 3rd Street
Two Mexican women in their early twenties talking in the back of the bus
The one with the long ponytail asks the other what celebrities
She thinks are cute
Johnny Depp?
Kinda
Justin Bieber?
Yeah, but he's like a kid
Brad Pitt?
He's way too old!

Ouch!

Bus stories from yesterday

It's not always drama
206 bus north on Normandie and Manchester
Real folks
Not TV drama folks
Man holding his baby girl on his lap
Feeding her a bottle

Bus driver says hello and smiles
Old black woman in white
Gets off the bus and says
Good day everybody
We answer
Good day
Sometimes the ride is easy

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Normandie and King
40 bus west on King
Black man with his two young beautiful sons
The youngest is asleep at their stop on King and Western
As the father wakes up the child
He instructs the older one
To hold onto the pole
Hold on hard
He says
What an appropriate message to a young black man
Hold on hard

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Sitting on the bus stop on King and Leimert
Thankfully this stop has a bench I can sit on
Many of them don't
Too many
Why?
Why not a place to sit

A black older man wearing denim overalls with no shirt
Shoes too big and matted afro
Asked me for a quarter
I gave him two
And wondered what both of those quarters will do

xxxxxxxxxx

On the 40 west on King
Easy bus day
Easy

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Business done at the post office on Crenshaw and 39th
Jumped on the 210 north on Crenshaw
To the red line at Hollywood and Vine
Two brothas in the back philosophizing
Cool conversation at first
Then I realized I didn't feel like hearing
Any of it
Wondered why I was at all

Dudes, keep your voices down and talk amongst yourselves
"See, that's why brothas need to stick togetha"
"But brothas aint gon stick togetha 'cause
Everybody just tryina come up"
And on and on

xxxxxxxxxx

I'm on my way to pick up a
New batch of my cds 'cause I sold the last of what I had
Last night at the Poetry Lounge
I'm heading to Burbank and Sepulveda
Got on the 154 going the wrong way
So now I'm at the layover stop at the Burbank station
Waiting for the driver to finish his break

Where's the guy selling tacos when
You're looking for him?

Breaks over

xxxxxxxxxx

Overall it's been a pretty polite day on the bus(es)

Wow, the bus driver just stopped at a stop
Where an old lady is standing
He opened the door and said
"I'm just stopping to say hi"

"Oh hey there, did you get my email?
I see you all are losing some of your drivers"

It was a short chat, but still
Let's move it

What a difference of food options
On the bus line in Burbank
As opposed to South Central
In L.A. there is a McDonalds,
Taco Bell, Burger King and or KFC
On most every corner
I haven't seen any of those yet out here

Here there are more restaruants
Better food on the busy streets
Hooters, Corner Bakery, IHop

There are TV monitors on the
Metro buses and usually they show
Weather reports, local news, trivia
Right now there is a black woman on talking about
How to prepare collard greens

The high schoolers are getting on now
Quiet time gone

There's the McDonalds
I knew they couldn't stay hidden for long

I am so sleepy

The white looking Mexican dude
Walking with the black and white dudes
Has on a black hat that says
Compton

xxxxxxxxxx

WINNER!!!

I was sitting on the 210 bus stop
On Sunset and Vine and saw an Iranian guy with a t shirt that said
I love eating pussy

Train / bus letters and thoughts and other stuff (from journal 03/30/11)

Dear lady on the train with your music blasting,

It's not just that I don't wanna hear it, I mean that's part of it, (mostly really) but I don't think your baby in her stroller wants to either. Plus, it's not even a really good song or anything like that. Good, you're getting off now. Bye. Go bother someone else.

xxxxxxxxxx

Dear black dude with the shaved head covered in tattoos,

I think your look is really beautiful. But then I am a photographer and I only want to take pictures of you. I would never hire you for anything. But then never is a short long word and you didn't ask me for a job.

xxxxxxxxxx

Dear guy on the train talking to me,

I know that you are just looking to connect and bond with some other black folks because you haven't really found your community of "like minded folks in L.A." (you are from San Diego and apparantly they are all over the place out there) but I don't really feel like talking right now. I did think it was cool when you found out that I was a writer you said "wow, so you're not schitzo, you're just creative" and I said, "no, I'm schitzo too" you didn't even flinch. You said, "that's cool, so now you have a place to let it all out."

I gave you props for that. Anyway, I'm getting off now.

xxxxxxxxxx

Dear young black guy getting arrested right now for not showing your train pass to the sheriff waiting,

I feel sad for you because I don't like it when we get caught up with the law behind simple stuff like that. I did maddog the sheriff the whole time he handcuffed you, put you in the car and went through your things.

Take care.

xxxxxxxxxx

Dear lady on the bus going to school or something,

Your titties are too big to be wearing that shirt. I know it's hot now but still you gotta watch things like that when you ride the 210 Crenshaw.

xxxxxxxxxx

Dear lady on the bus behind me talking to your friend,

When you said "I was just callin' because I was just thinkin' 'bout you," I know he didn't believe you because I didn't. Then when you asked him to pick you up at the Louisiana Fried Chicken place on King and Crenshaw we both knew the truth.

xxxxxxxxxx

Bus driver,

It's hot thanna mug. For real, are you ever gonna turn the air on?

xxxxxxxxxx

I wonder how big the shrimp tacos are at Taco Bell.

xxxxxxxxxx

Dear lady on the bus complaining about your knees,

I think you should just lose some weight. Seriously 'cause sometimes I have "trouble" with my knees too.

xxxxxxxxxx

If you ride the bus then I don't think you should have long fake eyelashes. But that's just me.

xxxxxxxxxx

Lady behind me,

Stop talking to yourself. If you wear a lot of makeup on the bus and you are wearing purple and pink AND talking to yourself, then people will think you are crazy. And your red wig is not that cute. I'm not talking about you. I'm just saying.

xxxxxxxxxx

My stop now. Crenshaw and King.

xxxxxxxxxx

Seriously, what's up with all the motorized petal bicycles? And why do I only see them in the hood?

xxxxxxxxxx

WINNER!!!!

I was sitting on the bus stop on King and Crenshaw and a brotha came up to be with his hairy chest hairs showin' through his unbuttoned jumpsuit. His black curly hair almost hanging in his face. He was wearing blue coveralls that were slightly too small for his chubby frame. He walked close to me as if he was about to tell me some deep secret. Lookin'all around.

He: It aint a lotta good lookin' women 'round here so gon gimme ya numba.

I: (laughing) No, I'm not givin' you my number, but that was a good one.

He: You don't wanna come ova my house an' cook fa me?

I: (still laughing) No sir. I don't.

He: (putting one of his boots on the bench next to me so his crotch is tight against his clothes and close to me) Gal, you don't wanna touch all this?

I: Now that's funny. No thank you. I don't want it!

He: Humph. (and walked away)

Another poem on and just off the blue line (from journal 03-20-11)

It's bad when the blue line breaks down between
The Firestone and 108th Street stations
because I cannot walk to the Del Amo station from there

I can, but I won't

So I sit here
I am a poet
So the remembering is always itchy
Depending on the day
I can go either way

I started reinacting fights between him and me
But the thoughts only left me angry
And I am still stuck on the train after that

So now I make up stories
About the other passengers
What their lives are about
Like I should have a clue

It's bad to be stuck on the train
With nothing to do
But wonder if
The black guy standing with all the tattoos
Will leave his backpack behind
And kill us all
And his own fool self

Now that the train is running
We are almost at the Compton station
I can't turn my head off
'Cause once you trigger a poets creativity on the train
She won't stop until the Mexican girl
Comes into her car selling M&M's peanut

But there is no Mexican girl
With her backpack too full of
M&M's and other chocolate I don't need

I keep writing and can't figure out
Why the black girl across from me is trying to impress the white guy
With her perfect grammar
Her Louie bag, her sagging titties

We are all on the train trying to get home
Or where everrrr
He doesn't care
I want to scream
But I don't

Everyone but you can see he doesn't care
He asks if she has children and how many

"Three"
She says
"I have three girls"
Brief pause
"But only one baby daddy just in case you were wondering"

So what lady
So what

And I get to the Del Amo station
Only to find I just missed the 192 bus to South Street
So I go across the street to the swap meet
To get a notebook
Because every bus riding poets angst
Is cured with a brand new notebook

I walk past the spray painted shoes that say
Big Pimpin
Past the Laker jersyes

Purchase a pair of gray tights
Because I cannot resist a pair of tights
Even though I started to walk away
But then the Korean booth owner yells
"Excuse me! We have a large!"
Like I need him to yell that I am a large

I buy the tights anyway
Then my new notebook
And gum
And chocolate
And pads 'cause you know who is coming soon
Hence all my jittery in the first place

It's all ok because I'm back on the bus
The black high school girls with weaves too long
Talking too loud
Are perfect fodder
For my next poem

Woman on the Greyhound

One of the benefits of being outside of the house and paying attention to poetry around me is that I witness some interesting stories. Stories I just wouldn't make up. So in the space of I just wouldn't make this up, on the Greyhound the other night it was dark, just past midnight and quiet. We were about ten minutes from a stop, I don't remember which one, and a woman got on her phone. That is common when we are that close to a stop, but usually the calls go some thing like, "Hey, we are almost there. Can't wait to see you." or something like that. But no, not this time. This woman was on her phone and was talking so loudly. Seriously, this was the conversation:

"Hey. Yeah we almost there. You coming? Stop playin' we almost there, for real. I got my baby with me."

And she did have a young baby with her in a car seat.

"Ok I'm light skinned with curly hair like yours. I have on a green jacket..." 

The whole conversation sounded like she just met someone on the internet and asked him to meet her for the first time with her baby in the middle of the night at. Greyhound station somewhere between North Carolina and Pennsylvania. 

As her conversation began to disturb and wake up the other passengers on the bus I could hear the chuckles and disapproving grunts. Like no one could believe it. If I was watching this play out on a movie I would have to rewind. When we stopped, I couldn't see who she got in the car with but I sure do hope that she and her child are ok. 

Moving along

11:40am
Almost in El Paso. Had a great conversation with Aquiah. She told me about a great spa in Atlanta. I knew she would be the one to know.

These two old white folks in front of me are flirting with each other and telling about their lives like this is a first date or something. They are reading scriptures from his Bible. That was cute then she saw the El Paso sign and said "once we cross the border it's a modern day Sodom and Gomorah. Yep, that's how it is."

The journey continues

9:07 am
I don't know where we are but we are leaving there now. The ride is still going well. With the exception of the one lady popping her gum throughout the night the folks have been cool. Even the arguing couple behind me seem to be getting along.

It's really beautiful here. The mountains, blue sky, clouds. I haven't taken one picture yet. Well this is the first part of the daylight trip so I have plenty of time.

When I get to Atlanta I've gotta find a place to go swimming or a hot tub or sauna or something. I've been spoiled by the spas in L.A. I go as often as I can and sit in the hot tub because it's the only treatment that immediately helps my back.

Gotta pull my camera out now because I keep seeing things pass me that I want a picture of.

Going Greyhound

4:17 am
We are pulling out of the Phoenix station. While I was inside charging my phone I saw a man who had just gotten off the bus who was moved to tears to see his sons. His sons were grown men. One son had who I think was his wife with him. The father held them and kissed them and cried. "I miss you so much. I miss you so much." The three men had the same brown face. Same dark eyes, black shoulder length hair, same tears except the father had more.

I wondered where he was that kept him from the men he missed so much. How long were they apart? Was there forgiveness to be asked for and given? How long would they be together this time?

I said a silent prayer for them. I let my heart utter words for them my mind cannot possibly know. I wished peace for them. More happy tears, more happy hugs for them. I was glad I needed to charge my phone.

On my way to Atlanta

I had a very busy day today. We didn't get out of the studio until almost midnight last night so there went my plan to leave for Atlanta yesterday. We did have a productive day though. I'm on the Greyhound now and I'm so glad for the wi-fi new busses! The trip is forty-eight hours so I'll be taking some cool pictures and posting stories. For now though, I'm going to take a nap.

Oh, if you're in Atlanta then come out to Apache on Sunday night where I'll be performing.

7:26 pm
We left Los Angeles at 6:30 and now we are stopping for a 20 minute break in San Bernadino. The couple behind me keep arguing. I hope they work it out soon. I want to turn around and say "look, she said leave her alone already!" But I don't see that going well.

I'm gonna jump off and charge my phone and iPad.

Let's see, how am I going to explain to the new people getting on the bus that I don't want any of them to sit next to me? Hmmmmmmmm...

12:13 am
"Your love, your love, supernatural thing" that was the song playing when we stopped in the gas station a little while ago. It's not important but it made me feel good standing in line with my Aquifina water and gummy bears. We just left Blythe. Our next stop will be Phoenix.

I have driven these roads these roads a few times and sometimes by myself. There are moments, most of the moments in fact, when I like this better. The trip is going great. Well, my neck and back are stiff, but then my neck and back are usually stiff. Seriously if there is a massage therapist in Atlanta willing to trade a massage for a photo shoot then it's on.

If I'm not sleep and if there's enough juice on this thing then I'll talk to y'all in Phoenix.

Travel notes 2-18 through 2-21

My mother gave me her iPad. I love it. The toys I love the most are my camera, computer and now the iPad. I'm always writing, thinking, reciting poetry and other stories in my head and on paper as I travel throughout city. Here are some of my musings.

Friday, Feb 18, 2011

1:27 pm
Deana has my computer so I'm on bus to train to HairPlaay to edit the Grooveology photos and Kim's photos from yesterday. Trying to get everything on my to do list complete. May not complete all but will try to get as much done as I can. Train is here.

2:20 pm
Sitting on bus stop on Figueroa and Washington. It is cold.

On bus now going to get my product bag from L.A. and to put on a t shirt to go under this sweatshirt. I need to pay my phone bill too. I'm hungry. What am I going to eat?

Looking forward to leaving for Atlanta.

3:01 pm
On the bus stop on Gramercy and Washington going to Deana's shop. I bought a bag of trail mix and paid my phone bill. This iPad is good company.

It's raining now. Come on bus. I'm so glad I purchased an all day pass.

3:58 pm
Made it to Deana's shop. About to edit photos. Loving me.

5:59 pm
Got computer from Deana. Gonna take it home to edit photos. Got a haircut. It's raining hard. On the bus headed to Long Beach.

7:01 pm
On the blue line to Long Beach. I am enjoying being out in the rain. Something about being on the bus, train and walking that keeps me grounded. There are such great stories to be heard on public transportation. Yes, I do want a car and that will happen when it's time, but for now I will make the most of this.

I had an idea of how I want to use THE NIKEL. I feel like too much time has passed for me to put it out in it's original novella form but I can publish the stories of the characters. I can show the dynamics of the relationships between the characters.

7:40 pm
Got off the blue line and am on the Long Beach bus. Deja has a game in the morning so I'm gonna stay at my mom's house to see her play. This is the last bus for tonight. I'm going to take a long bath and then get started on the photos. I do love this weather.

I miss Uraeus.

I hope that the FCC deposits my money soon. I did the work, faxed the form, mailed the invoice, and now I'm waiting for the money. I am planning to use that money to pay some bills.

I'm still sitting on the bus at the blue line station because the driver is on break. That's cool. My other option is to walk at night in the rain and cold.

What poems am I going to do tomorrow?

Seriously, I'm still here. Not that she doesn't deserve a break but I'm ready. Yay we're leaving! Mom's house soon!

8:53 pm
I'm here. I poured a glass (plastic cup really) of red wine, got some cheese and crackers and took a long bath. I feel great. I got an idea of the new poem I want to do for tomorrow at the Pan African Film Festival. More on that later. Now to edit photos while I watch my new favorite romance "My Big Fat Greek Wedding."

Saturday, February 19, 2011

11:57 am
On the blue line going to shoot the second video for Piper. Terrance is shooting it for me at his place in Inglewood, thank God.

I'm glad I got the video finished for Grooveology. Now I need to make the CDs for Patrice, Kim and Lolita and I will be caught up on my photo projects.

I thank God that I got the money to pay Terrance and get a day pass and one for tomorrow.

12:23 pm
The train I was on was having technical problems so we all had to get off at the Watts station. Now we're waiting. It's cold. It's Watts. I'm hungry.

What is my set list for tonight?

12:32 pm
I think I hear the train. I don't see it though.

3:43 pm
On the bus stop at Venice and La Brea. On my way to the Culver Studios for the PAFF. I think the shoot with Terrance went well today. We shot two videos and will send both to Piper. It's all in God's hands.

I'm cold. I'm hungry. Thank God there will be food in the green room.

Patrice really liked the video I did for Grooveology. Except I didn't include DJ Y-Not. I told her I would make another one. How did I forget the shots of Y-Not?

Ok. Come on bus because I'm really cold. I'm treating myself to the midnight spa. I'm about to go cross country on the Greyhound so I'm gonna give my back this favor. Besides, it's only $20 and it's become my new favorite place.

12:08 am
Sitting in lounge chair at Grand Spa, my new favorite place. Tonight at PAFF was so magical! It kinda felt like ten years ago doing poetry with my favorite poets and some new ones.

I need to put this iPad up and get some rest.

Thank You God for this day.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

11:48 am
I'm sitting in the El Pollo Loco in Leimert Park. I just shot T her wife and children. I'm waiting for Cayenne to shoot her jewelry. Really I feel like going to Long Beach and finish all the projects that I am behind on. Yep, staying in Long Beach again tonight to get up early and shoot Reuben's basketball game. Those children play every night and every weekend it seems. I'm being fun auntie this week.

There aren't any outlets in here that I can use.

I want a car. If I had one right now I would take a nap in it.

I'm sleepy.

4:49 pm
At green line station at Inglewood. Had a great shoot with Cayenne and Nikki. I have a lot of work to do when I get home to my mom's house.

I'm hungry.

Monday, February 21, 2011

2:58 pm
I went to Reuben's game today. It was a good game but they lost. I'm in Roshann's car in the Target parking lot. My photoshoot was cancelled this morning because the guy got called in to work. That's cool because I wouldn't have been able to go to the game had I had the shoot at noon.

I need a nap. Gonna rest a bit when I get to the house then finish editing the projects I'm working on.

I'm performing at a school tomorrow then shooting the video in Santa Monica. Some time between the school and the shoot I gotta get home to L.A. to pack for Atlanta. I'm going to the bus station right after the shoot and take the next bus smokin' to Atlanta. Looking forward to being back in Atlanta and being on stage in Atlanta. Also looking forward to the art show Sunday. God is good. REAL GOOD.

Bus stories 4

210 bus south on Crenshaw.

The young woman sitting across from me is wearing short shorts. She looks to be about 19 years old. She looks like she's black and white. Her age and ethnicity are only important because I like to include those facts. Why are her shorts so relevant? Because she is wearing an ankle bracelet. Yes, from the police. Not the jewelry store. I don't think I've ever seen one before that wasn't on TV. I don't want to stare. But I am a writer and am filled with questions.

What did she do? Alcohol? Drugs? Is she on probation? Why? For how long?

None of this is my business but what else is there to do while riding the 210 south on Crenshaw headed to Slauson Ave.?

Bus stories 3

210 bus south on Crenshaw. Two black men in their early 20s talking.

man 1: No, Tanisha just a side bitch I'm fuckin'. I really want a white girl.

man 2: You trippin'.

man 1: Sheeeeiit.

man 2: Where you on yo way to?

man 1: This bitch house.

man 2: You need to be lookin' for a job, muthafucka.

man 1: Shit, maybe in a coupla months when I get offa probation.

man 2: Aight then.

man 1: Aight.

Bus stories 2

210 bus south on Crenshaw

old man: How you doin', pretty lady?

me: I'm fine.

old man: (smiling) I was fine too till I lost my teeth. I caint find 'em nowhere.

(we laugh)

Bus stories

210 bus on Monday night. 7:30. South on Crenshaw. Crowded bus. Starting point Crenshaw and Pico. Black man in his late 40s in wheelchair enters bus and tries to make his way to wheelchair post. There is a 70 yr old frail woman standing in front of him.

man: Move, lady! You see I'm tryina get to the post over here. You see I'm in a wheelchair! Get out my way!

woman: Sorry. Sorry. I trying. No room.

man: You standing there like I got all damn day!

black woman in her early 40s: What the fuck you expect her to do? You see she tryina move.

man: This aint even yo bizniz so won't you juss stay out the kool aid?!

black woman: you just stressin' this old lady 'cause you know she aint gon say nothin' back to you. Won't you scream on somebody thata fight back?!

man: Won't you juss stay out of it. I aint even talkin' to you. I'm talkin' to these damn Mexicans on the bus all in my way.

black woman: What all the Mexicans got to do with anything? Why you still talkin'? The lady out yo way now. You juss mad 'cause you in a wheelchair.
You need ta juss accept yo condition!

man: Hell yeah I'm mad.

black woman: Well you don't need to be tryina run over this old lady. You don't know if she got diabetes or if her bones are brittle or what. Juss go somewhere witcho fuckin' chair.

man: You better shut the fuck up before I ram you and her.

black woman: You aint gon do shit. (turns to lady) Don't worry, Ma'am. He aint gon do shit. He juss mad 'cause he in a wheelchair. (turns to man) Accept yo condition and shut up! (back to woman) That's what's wrong wit em. He mad 'cause he in a wheelchair and he younger than you and you all old and shit walkin' around. Don't pay him no attention and don't be scared of him. I got yo back. Don't nobody give a fuck that he in a fuckin' wheelchair. I'll fuck him up. Ma'am, don't trip. You ok. I got you.

Notes from the Greyhound bus trip from Atlanta to California

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

-Uraeus and I left Atlanta at 5:30am
-We arrived in Birmingham at 9:00am
-The Birmingham station was soooo clean.
-I'm glad I'm going across the country slowly with Uraeus.

-11:20am We arrived in Meridian, Mississippi and stopped at the Union Station.
-The trees have been with us the whole time. Plenty of trees. Green. Tall. Sheltering. Shading. Holding. Loving.
-I packed snacks before I left and we just bought more.
-Uraues looked out of the window and said, "Mom, look, there is some artwork. The trees."

-1:05pm We arrived in Jackson, Mississippi.

-2:10pm We crossed the Mississippi River and entered Louisiana.

-2:20pm I am visualizing my life. Painting murals.

-3:15pm We stopped in Monroe, Louisiana.

-I am sitting in front of a black man in his early sixties dressed southern black man sharp (hat, suit, doing too much for a Greyhound trip.) A white woman maybe a few years younger than he sat next to him and got all in his business, which he was a bit slow to reveal at first, but soon gave in.

Woman* Where are you going?
Man* Dallas.
Woman* You married?
Man* Naw, I aint got no wife.
Woman* What happened?
Man* I just aint got no wife.
Woman* Got any kids?
Man* Yep. Six.
Woman* They live with you?
Man* No. I'm homeless.
Woman* Then where do you sleep?
Man* Under a bridge.
Woman* You don't look homeless. You look like a Philadelphia lawyer.
(They laugh. I do too.)

Uraeus and I are playing Uno and he calls me to go. I'm more involved in the conversation behind me apparantly.

Woman* How do you make your money?
Man* I'll show you. (He pulled out some cards with writing on them and what looked like a Bible. I can't tell.)
Woman* And they pay you?
Man* Yeah.
Woman* Do you always sleep under a bridge?
Man* Naw, sometimes I go to the Salvation Army, but not a lot 'cause I can't stand a lotta fightin' adn auguin'.
Woman* You don't like the orgin?
Man* No. Auguin'.
Woman* Ag-u-in?
Man* Arguing.

-4:50pm We stopped at Grambling. It was good to see the campus again. We are headed to Shreveport. Uraeus and I need to eat some real food and get some rest. We are scheduled to be in L. A. at 5:00am. My mother is picking us up then we're heading to Palmdale, then to the wake, then the funeral on Saturday.

-5:00pm We just passed Homer, Louisiana. I thought about Bettye because she's from there. I need to hurry and post that "conversation."

-6:00pm We arrived in Shreveport. It's beautiful. Definetely the best bus station.

-7:27pm We arrived in Marshall, Texas.

-7:39pm I am present to being connected to nature. On a plane I wouuld have been asleep before take off, ignored the movie (if one was offered) and woke up in time for orange juice (no ice please). The bus is prayer time, meditation time, time to get mind and spirit straight for what's ahead, for what's right now, in the moment. On a plane I would have flown over the very every of Phills Pig Parts, of teh gas station that dubs as a Greyhound Station where you pay for milk, gas, country fried chicken and check in for your bus at the same counter.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

-12:30am Left downtown Dallas, Texas.

-7:05am Somewhere in the land of Texas. Two Boarder Patrol officers came on the bus. There was a guy from Brazil they pulled off the bus. He took off running. They caught him. I hoped he would get away. But no.

-8:55am Somewhere in Texas. Desert. Telephone poles and wires. One or two other vehicles on the road. Big pale blue sky with a few soft white clouds dispersed. Everyone on the bus is quiet. Even the lady behind me who seems to know a lot about everything and is not shy about sharing her wisdom. Riding in this silence this long is an easy way to get to know what's really on my mind. Uraeus is resting adn I'm focused on my thoughts. Focusing on what I want to create in my world. Reflecting on the year. The years. Thinking about turning forty soon. Giving up the need to please at my expense.

-9:30am We stopped in Pecos, Texas.

-11:17am We stopped somewhere in Texas. Two hours from El Paso.
-I am thinking about painting murals in hospitals, nursary schools, doctor's offices.
-Living my life like it's golden.
-If my life is a blank canvas, what am I filling it with?
a. art
b. poetry
c. stories
d. family
e. friends
-More details on what that looks like to come.

-11:31am We are leaving Van Horn, Texas. The lady across from me is writing in her journal. I wonder what she is writing.

-11:45am The guy two seats ahead of me is brushing his teeth. I'm on a bus remember.

-1:05pm I'm waiting in El Paso, Texas. the bus doesn't leave until 1:45pm. This is my second day taking the medication the doctor at Grady perscribed. I didn't notice anything yesterday but today, about ten minutes ago I had to rush to the restroom because it felt like I started bleeding again. I could feel a wet substance on my body and clothes. When I got to the restroom I found that the substance was clear. When I took the medication I also took two Tylonol PM pills. Maybe that had something to do with it. I don't know.

-1:40pm I'm ready to get back on teh bus but they haven't called for us yet. I'm sleepy and hungry for some real food. I've been eating junk and I can feel it. I brought $100 for the bus trip and we're doing good on money, can't find anything else besides junk to eat though.

-2:20pm El Paso. The black driver is having a conversation with a white passenger about why he (the driver) doesn't need to learn Spanish.

Driver* This is America. It's their responsibility to learn English.
Passenger* But if we learned to speak Spanish it would help the communication. When I was growing up here in El Paso, we had to take Spanish from the first to the sixth grade.
Driver* (shaking his head) This is America. What they gon do when they go to the east coast? I'm too old to learn. Too old.

-2:25pm We are still in El Paso. We are running about thirty minutes late. I think we're leaving now. I haven't had a glass of wine since Chicago. Merlot and a fat burrito would be nice.

The driver is on the microphone saying, "Some of you speak English and act like you don't. Not knowing how to speak doesn't excuse you from the rules."

-8:00pm Mr. Bus Driver is really doing too much. There are two Mexican women speaking Spanish. Not too loudly. Not to me anyway. He just got on his microphone and said, "You two females, as you can see, it's almost night so we're going into a night time schedule. If you keep it up, I'm going to have to terminate all conversation." Yeah right. Just drive the bus, dude.

-10:30pm We are in Phoenix and should be here for forty minutes. We are running an hour behind schedule so we are now expected to be in L. A. at 6am. This trip has belssed me to appreciate my own silence. My own mouth closed. Why am I speaking so much anyway when nature has so much to say?

-Is it me, or is Anderson Cooper, the CNN guy, really, really handsome or what?

-10:50pm We are boarding the bus again. Good.

-5:15am We arrived at the Los Angeles bus station. Gotta get this medication checked out. I'm soaked. Glad to be in Cali.