avoiding the gaze of the stranger next door
the platform erupts with people bursting past
anxious to sardine themselves
to accelerate the monotonous routine of daily life.
but not today, not now
now it is just me
with a book in my hands
a poem hung on the other side of the metal cage
free of children,
free of dancers,
free of everyone else.
the expanse of dead night rushes past my window —
the world is tumbling along and keeping me in tow.
even when i step onto the bare platform and head home,
the chill of the night air filling my lungs,
i am alone
but never lonely.