Some passengers are bright and slow taking over the bus
women in orange anorak frantic, nearly left behind
but she's gained 10 minutes in her day when the driver shows mercy
A running orange tortoise
passengers denied entertainment

Passers-by are looking straight at me
But
Really
To the girl applying deodorant in the advertisement
Dividing
Inside
And
Outside

People get on and check
for a seat
Simultaneously between
Paying for the fare
Ripping the ticket off
And getting back their change
mint place at the back by yourself
or next to some other fellow human being

Some drivers say Hello darl'
Others don't reply to you- even with your best smile and g'day
Some don't let you on if your 10 cents short
And others let you on a dollar short
Some give you your change to your hand
Others put it in the plastic dish
Some stop the bus at passenger-less stops and move a while later without a word
Others stop and say 5 minutes folks

Drivers always wave at each other
Comradeship!
Pirates of the road
Journeying clockwise and anticlockwise,
The fare
And no food or drink

Learn more about this author, Edurne Scott.
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