DREAM DATE

Luck
the dame standing
in the middle of the street
too long
forcing you to the next light
Luck
the jerk that kept you
from catching the train
that crashed
Luck
living close to musicians
not ax murderers
or pedophiles
Luck
not getting hit in the head
with that pencil when you
ducked & it glanced off
the kid behind you
and didn't put your
eye out

Who knows about grand plans
Who knows about chance games
Who knows about random numbers and events
Luck
Being cautious, eating right, keeping your head down
Having talent, brains, being in the right place
Knowing the right person

Survival
Patience
Strength
Endurance
Luck?
Triumph

METRO

in the city
i rode the train
with the people

thought ordinary animals
i hope they're gentle
these blank-eyed beings
riding
with me
on the train

if I bothered to notice
I thought they're
silly, smelly, probably
stupid, squalid, steamy
not like me
a thinking being

they won't change things
they'll march dumbly along
to the end --abstain action
aimless, easily herded

they could change the wrongs
and improve their habits
alter society but
lazy
they dumbly ride the train

one day i changed my mind

i saw a girl pull a flute from
her back pack and play to the
applause of the train

i saw an eight year old win a
chess game in three moves
against someone I'd seen
studying many chess books

i saw a thuggy looking fellow
smile at a woman and give her
a book by Rilke
              and a deaf girl
exit by signing peace to
all passengers
............................ now
i don't think about people
i try to see them, to feel them
to know each has a gift
even if it's not
.........revealed
........................to me