Leave it to Nike shoes, fohawk
washed out blues, leather gold wrist watch
to complain, about how he remains
at his bus stop

leave it to raven gray, old bifocals
tacky turquoise rain gear of yesterday, local
to contemplate, on why
her bus is late to the depot

speaking also as a flower not from the seventies
I was saddened by the old bus sans WiFi, amenities
so I
identify
with this loud and proud
skater kid, he's off the grid
I chose not to rid myself of this skid
so hip, he flipped his lid on to the seat
took me a half beat and found my feet
going for a seat across the aisle
and he would remain my half companion for the next little while

leave it to Nike shoes, fohawk
washed out blues, leather gold wrist watch
to share his sour blaster cherries on the ride

leave it to weathered man, buzz cut
hard tatted tan, shirt tucked
to sit grim and gruff, every muscle tough on the drive

strictly speaking as a silent observer watching
intrigued by their contrasting ratio in talking
so I
ask why
this older guy can’t close his eyes
yet skater kid who sleeps so sound
slept softer than Mr. Gruff ever did
this man did more than this kid ever could
so why should he be so sleepless, he would
snore if he could for at least a little bit
while the **** head behind him sleeps, laughs, and smiles