A poem a day for 2013 - day 272 - No

When we shook hands he pulled me in to hug him
I gave him my shoulder
I choose
I say who I hug full on
There are instincts to follow
A gut to obey
Antennas to lead the way
I say
I say

On the bus tonight

Black man in his early twenties: (makes funny spooky voice) Bernard!

Bernard: Haaaaaa! (Slaps hands with black man) Tryina come off like a boogiemen on muthafucka!

They laugh

Ok then...

This woman on the bus stop tonight had on a shirt that said "Fresh as fuck."

A poem a day for 2013 - day 271 - Because bus stories never get old

A Mexican woman got on the train today and said something in Spanish
When she translated it it was this
I have incense for sale
Ten sticks for a dollar
The flavors are
Sex on the beach
Obama
And lick me all over
Thank you very much
In Jesus name

What?

A poem a day for 2013 - day 270 - poem 2 - That happened

On the 710 bus south on Crenshaw yesterday
A black man was sitting in the back of the bus
Sipping beer from a 24 ounce gold can
Poorly hidden in a black plastic bag
While reading a Final Call
What?

Um...but?

I saw a casket for sale this evening at the thrift store where I shop for $499.00. Yeah, um...yeah..

I guess

There is a story inside me about why many young men and women on the bus don't give up their seats to the elders, but I have yet to write or read it.

A poem a day for 2013 - 270 - Today. More bus stories.

There was a man lying on the ground in front of the bus stop who kept repeating
Buy me a bottle of wine and don't judge me
I understand

It's a process

Me: I'm gonna get a bike. You know? A cruiser with a big basket in the front. I don't care if it only has one gear.

C: You gonna wear all the biking gear too?

Me: No. Not till I lose some more weight. When I walk and stuff I like to wear regular clothes.

C: Why?

Me: Because one time I was all in my workout gear on the street and this brotha was all like 'Just keep going, Sis, you can make it.' And I know he was just trying to encourage me but I felt body shamed.

We laughed.

To Courtney, who is busy...seeing Spain!

See as much of the world as you can. Write about all of it. Take way too many pictures. Eat too much. Hug too many people. Dance. Sing badly. Please sing badly, my love. Singing on key takes too much thought if you are not a singer. See all of it. Rest. Drink the water if you can. Drink the wine. Wear something too short and too tight if you wish. Love yourself every day. Keep your eyes open for the next opportunity to see more of Gods wonderful creation. Then one day, provide opportunity for someone else. I love you. And all of yours.

Words

I get to work hella early every day now that I am on the bus. I don't like being late. I'm one of those. So I sit at the park down the street and write or draw or work on a crossword puzzle or do something else that has me not look creepy being alone in a park where there are children. Anyway.

Sometimes there is this group of developmentally delayed citizens who are there doing different exercises with their leaders. Physical exercises, they eat, learn things, stuff. Recently I was there during their break and some were eating while others were conversing. Two men caught my attention. One was looking up into the sky and he seemed to be smiling and rocking back and forth. Another man who was sitting next to him kept speaking to him, even though he was being ignored. "Hey, stop smiling. It is a sign of weakness. Stop smiling. It is a sign of weakness. Stop." And thankfully the guy didn't stop smiling. But the other guy kept admonishing him like someone had told him those words before. Like he was passing on wise words to his friend to survive in real, hard, cruel world of ours where smiling would get one harmed.

I am sorry that this is the message he has learned. That smiling is a sign of weakness. That smiling is something one should stop doing because smiling is dangerous. That smiling is something to stop.

Bus life

Today there was a young man on the bus stop sitting behind the wall of the bench. He was on the bus yesterday too. Today he was talking on the phone to a young woman who was crossing the street heading to the bus stop. There were two men walking in the crosswalk behind her. The young woman   was on the bus yesterday also. She goes to El Camino Community College.

Man: It don't matter if you see me. I see you, motherfucka. Keep crossin' the street.

Pause. I see her crossing the street saying something on her phone.

Man: Who you with?

Pause: She responds.

Man: Oh, I see them two niggas with you. I was about to fuck you up.

She is across the street now, laughing.

Woman: What's up with you?

Man: Nothin', nigga. What's up with you? What you doin' later?

Woman: Prolly goin' to the movies with my boyfriend.