a newbie bus rider

I don't usually put my poems in this blog as I maintain another blog for my poetry. Hwoever, there are several reasons why I am putting this poem here. First, I have just posted a new one in my poetry blog which you might want to know also contains a reprint of a surprise poet, (surprise because I didn't know he wrote poetry)a very good friend of mine. Secondly, because this is a true story (one of my experiences in Canada) and lastly, I want other people to know that I have another blog (plugging, hehe)

Anyway, this is about my first bus ride in Canada. Yes, I have been there three times and yet never experienced riding a bus. This was a first time for me. Hope you like it. Here goes:


Newbie rides the bus


Take the car," she says.
But I'd rather take the bus
that knows where it's going
than drive around the city,
lost

I walk to Moncton
unmindful of the seagulls flying past
owning the vast space above my head
freely going to and from their nest
transporting food for their young.

Clad in sweatshirt and a jacket on my arm
toying with a twoney and a quarter in my hand
I plan the journey
up ahead

sitting on the bench at the stop
I wonder if the bus will take me
directly to Gastown
where the Seabus docks

or should I transfer to another...
but which one and where I do not know.
Thoughts of Rosa Parks
run through my head
or falling flat on my face
or being shouted at
for a clumsy move

together with a thousand
horror stories happening
on my first bus ride

until

a twenty year old woman arrives,
smiles and tells me,
"You'll have to transfer at Richmond Center
take the B39, get off at Waterfront,
walk a block to The Station to find
the Seabus that'll take you to North Van."

No glitches till now
until I take the trip back.
Should I take the bus to Railway
or should it be Steveston
and walk less than a mile?

Bus going to Railway arrives
decide to take it now
than wait for the other.

People standing in front of me
waiting for seats to be vacated.
I look out the window,
and realize, "ah Railway!"

Suddenly, the bus made a turn at Wilson,
I panic! The bus could be headed back
to the Center.

With bags in tow
I get off and decide to walk
only to find out that it's all of four miles!
to make matters worse
my bladder is full
and I really have to go

Halfway there... drats! It begins to rain.