he sat across the aisle from a
gentleman on the bus
a gentleman thats what he deferred to no matter how gentlemanly or ungentlemanly the
individual appeared though since riding regularly seven years ago the state of riders had declined precipitously
if he had his druthers theyre not as appreciated as they once
were his too aggressive in actuality his rarely were an ugly hungry homeless man who kept a dog
hit him up for food Yare hungry I am .
and if you don’t mind me saying . . it looks you can afford me a ten spot, easy,
no sweat. Aah you are perceptive I am. he said extending an open palm towards
him Man if
yare hungry eat your dog
had he his druthers
hed have offered the man across from him a bar of soap he smelled like an
illkept gym locker room after spending
years crisscrossing the country playing college ball also sparringturning quick
bucks in gyms he knew RIPE when he smelled it
Grumblemumblemumblemumblegrumble man was looking directly at him
he let the first barrage pass
then the man laughed open mouth missing teethblack teethquite a maw
Grumblemumblegrumble mumblemumbleAHgrumble
Excuse me yatalkin to me
Ifya are I didnt catch whaya said
Excuse you.
Pardon me
the man glared I said Excuse you . . don’t
interrupt me when I’m talkin to myself.
2231, ReggaeFriday,
9 9. 22
309preferred, Twosday,
4 10. 22
