Dignified Passenger

The elderly gent sitting next to you on the subway may be enjoying the ride, the scenery, and the passengers. Or..

The elderly gentleman

sandwiched between

popsicle youth and shopping bag grandmas

reads his book like

an owl nestled in

scotch pines

watches mice.

Can he be disturbed?

Nothing in his face,

his salt and pepper moustache unwavering against brown skin,

nothing in his pinstriped vested suit and panama hat,

nothing in his concentration amidst transit clangor and disco fever,

nothing but his getting off before his usual stop

tells the story.

—— Albert Fried-Cassorla