eavesdropping at the bus station

His voice is always the same, asking
What to bring in a duffel bag:
Candles, obviously. Also the pussycat dolls and
Candyland. I almost feel guilty wearing these jeans—new,
To fit the 10 lbs. that leave me slightly off-balance

Leaning sidewise as I climb the stairs. I want to catalogue them,
But they know I do it, scribbling, trying to hold the page away
From sight, interpretation, ostracization; but she
Bums a smoke from me, and my cover is blown.

I have no smokes to give.

But I do complain under my breath, obvious
Enough to see but not hear, and I watch those
Who ride who watch me watching them watching me
And try to visualize their names:

Blind asian woman, white cane, sits near door
With feet that dangle above rubber tread

Thin woman, white gauze bandage on throat
Cropped gray hair, smoke-rich scent

Complaining woman, brown coat, slack
Brown hair with doughy face

Black woman, headscarf, long wool
Coat and glasses, heavy gold earrings

They ride, and I ride, and we ride together
But always apart, thinking thoughts about each
Other both visual and invisible, without speaking.
Doors wheeze and suck another on, and I take it

In, red white and blue patriot ballcap elaborate green
Tinged walker supporting massive swell of flesh
Swathed in Gunther Toody’s 50s Diner jacket over Monkees
Tee ZZ-Top beard. He puts on the dark sunglasses later.
Then again:

Plump latino couple, shaved head, sharp-edged facial hair, faux
Diamond studs, tight bun, fleshy face, gold hoops

Teen girl, hoodie, piercings—eyebrow lip tongue nose—big
Gulp duffel headphones cord snaking around exposed navel

Black dog walking black man walking black dog who sees for him
In leather harness on short hair and clipped nails

Rich Denver does not ride the bus. And then I see why
The driver always nods at my shoes
And ignores the jeans when he sees that I pay in crumpled
Bills and linty coins dug out of tight pockets;
Anyone can blow their paycheck on new pants. Wheels
Turn as I get off, and all I can think is

White man, respirator, paunch, mustache.