twenty minutes at the tram stop

[vurtomatic]

i lean against the pole
under the shelter
on a cold winter night
arms akimbo
i look infront of me
a lady
dark skinned
lined face
shawl around her head
leapord print jacket swaddled
what has she seen?
that marked her face so
hardship in her eyes
why was she alone
on this cold winter night?
i wonder about her family
a man
olive skinned
an accent
a tight jacket with frills
long limbed
pointy shoes
i gave him the time
wondering
where he is partying tonight
i hope he didnt miss his tram
a girl
in a chequed jacket
fair skinned
framed by silky black hair
legs crossed
one foot shaking
i dont like that
enraptured
lit screen of her cellular
highlighting her eyes
fingers tapping
an sms
to a boyfriend waiting?
a man
immaculately dressed
well groomed
turtle necked
peeking out of a blazer
hand gripping
a briefcase
sleek
i like it
i lit his ciggerate
he looks at and thanks me
i smiled
he looks at me again
walked away
and i looked after him
wondering
about his job
on a late saturday night
i looked to my right
a couple
asian
speaking in my mother tongue
a language i should know
but i dont
the boy is looking
not at her
the girl is pleading
hugs him
he looks not at her
wondering
will they work it out?
i hope so
been there
i look to my left
across the tracks
a man
chin touching his chest
grizzled beard
running down his torso
he shuffles
muttering to himself
sometimes leaning like me
hands cupped
around a hot drink
i see him everyday
same spot
same clothes
arms akimbo
on a cold winter night
under the shelter
i leaned againt the pole
at the tram stop
at a traffic junction
a stopover of sorts
a crossroad of sorts
and i wonder
about
the secret lives of us
i wrote half of this waiting for the tram tonight, capturing snapshots in my mind to finish it now, hope its not too boring for u
[ 16 June 2002: Message edited by: vurtomatic ]

 

[up all night]

Oh wow I love this! I am constantly playing this game in my head. I catch a lot of public transport so people watching and life creating is one of my favourite kill-the-minute past times.
You did it beautifully.

 

[fizzygirl]

Every time I do this I always start to wonder if anyone is out there doing the same thing and watching my actions, trying to interpret my smiles and enjoying my laughter as I talk to a friend.
Very well put into words

 

[harraser]

I do this soo often nice work
[ 17 June 2002: Message edited by: harraser ]

 

[*goldie*]

ditto... I often look at ppl waiting for the bus/train and wonder what their real lives are like... plus the vice versa as fizzygirl does...
beautiful imagery vurtomatic . There's so much real beauty to capture in everyday life!

 

[E-girl]

congrats... on being the best thing that i read today. i really truly enjoyed this. i love poems that allow me to paint a vivid mental picture, and this did just that for me. your details are fabulous. cant wait for the next one...

 

[E-girl]

bumping cuz i like this one!

 

[plazma]

*Agrees with the bump*
People watching, one of my FAVOURITE sports of late. :D
Especially given the opportunities. I love sitting down in Hyde park or anywhere, with a notebook & pen, just writing about what I see in front of me.
So this poem really strikes a chord reading it again.
-plaz out-

 

[vurtomatic]

hey thanx for the bump... im glad all of u have enjoyed it