Friday, Feb. 16, 2007 / 5:07 a.m.
Midtown Direct

We circle and circle
Swooping in
Shrouded in parkas, gloves, scarves
Covers all but the peek of an eye
Cursing the morning, cursing the weather
Warm breath encircles us in each exhale
Move around a bit, pace, light a smoke
A second waft of smoke
Neither giving warmth
Looking left – nothing

Stomp feet. Wishing for warmer socks
Wishing for warmer boots
Wishing to be warmer period
Flick out the smoke
Hug self a little tighter
Conserve some body heat
Almost want to cuddle with a stranger
Really just want to go somewhere warm
Looking left – nothing.

Adjust shoulder bag. Sip coffee
Make face at how cold it is
Consider throwing it out
Drink it anyway for the caffeine
Long day ahead, gonna need the energy
Check watch
Hmm, where the hell…
Looking left again – finally lights!

In the distance, little lights grow brighter.
Grow stronger. The hum now becomes rhythmic
Magical to a child, five minutes late today
Pulls in finally, gather belongings.
Climb the stairs before the conductor
Is even out of the way
Scramble for a side seat
For a private seat
The priveledge of not having a hot body
Pressed against you

Sit down, start moving
Everything is a blur
Window, aisle, doesn’t matter anymore
Read, iPod, cell phone
Or catch up on the work
A thousand ways to kill the time
Until the lights dim

It’s always momentary, but it’s your sign
That’s the cue, the call to action
Start to pack the minute the car goes black
Before the station’s announced and the way is clear
On your feet, ready to flee.
The door opens, push against the throng of people
On the platform, up the stairs
Warp speed now, running if need be
Like marbles spilled out of a jar
We circle and circle.