head back against the window glass
lulled by the rocking motion
hypnotized by the strobe lights
avoiding the gaze of people avoiding your gaze
the brakes squeal
you lurch to a stop
now stand and bunch to the door
like penguins crowding on ice to launch into the sea
out and through the turnstile
a quick walk through the maze
the maze that paint can’t help anymore
stomp, stomp, stomp up the stompy steps
and suddenly
at the top
the world is back
throngs swirling in motion
pavement wet and steamy from the earlier afternoon’s rain
cabs' horns blaring
the smell of sauerkraut in the air.