The bus drives straight through now
the station is gone
it's now the shabby part of town
dusty wooden pews wait for sailors and soldiers
young lovers and poor souls
dirty windows
a yellow newspaper on the floor
old faded posters to cities long forgotten
forever changed
the juke box that played 45's
three for a quarter
now dim and silent
pacing reading waiting
praying that the station agent
will call your destination
Why won't that pinball just shut up
I can barely hear him
the station always gave the promise of tomorrow
a new place a new adventure
going too not running from
it's always goodbyes and never hello
it's always alone watching the world go by
scenes morphing into colored blurs
my city is finally called
It's time for handshakes maybe a hug
eyes smiling into eyes
it's always a certain sadness
even in the best of goodbyes
the portly driver with a big belt buckle
soft eyes easy smile
takes my ticket
everybody scrambles getting on board
finally in my seat... one last smile
softly -mouthing...good-bye
a last wave...through the glass
we're on our way
this bus won't be stoppin' here anymore
I'm now in-between
the past just slipped away
the future is just over the next hill
and it's safe here in
this eye of the hurricane
Big windshield Big wipers
it always rains at night
in the middle of nowhere
starring out the window
I try not to notice the mirrored affect
I'm on my way out West
I just know I'm gonna' be ridin' in some kinda' rodeo
cigarettes coffee naps pit stops
I finally get here...
it's taken a lifetime to get here
As I leave the station I turn and look
at that beautiful bus
'cause I know she won't be stoppin' here no more
Oh I almost forgot......here I come
Author notes
I went with my mom to the little town where she grew up. We went to visit a neighbor she grew up with, they were both in their eighties. When it came time to say good-bye. They both said "so long, I'll be seeing you".
I knew that they would never see each other again. I didn't say anything to her about it.
I don't think that I'm ever going to say good-bye again.
It has such an edge to it. I think I know what I'll say.
A contest entry
- 'Images From Around the World' by Cynthia Gaines.
2000 points, ended September 19, 2008, 18 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 11 of 11
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yeh, nice narrative, explosive imagery, wonderfully vivid/colourful. Anyone who's done a medium/long haul on a bus woulb be able to recognize at least a few of these emotions and images
very good piece
Best wishes -Emmjay
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I'm speechless, this is amazing. I love it! Beautiful write!
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wow, this had me in tears. i find old fortgotten places so sad, maybe it's just me. it was an aamzing write with all the descriptions, i felt like i was there. it was sad, sweet and beautiful. especially the authors notes.
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"Oh I almost forgot......here I come"
i don't like this in here it just doesnt fit. you did very good you had me hooked until the end but honestly i would take that out.
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it's always goodbyes and never hello
it's always alone watching the world go by
scenes morphing into colored blurs
I felt like i was there. such imagery! excellent write.
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Great work poet. Wonderfully well written.
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I was there
When I stepped off the bus for my 3 days of freedom before shipping out to S.E.A. I saw the same reflections and felt the same way. There is a lonely, alone, solitary, kind of feeling that accompanies each blurred light as it passes by....in the rain filled night.
Makes me almost cry at the lost innocence of my youth. Ty
You may like : The end of the story
http://allpoetry.com/poem/762679
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Dear C
Excellent narrative notwithstanding, this reads like Mickey Spillane, Walter Cronkite, and John Steinbeck, dubbed over each other to form one voice.
I mean that in a good way, C!
Pathos to spare!
Don't mention pathos to moderns, you will be ostracized on the spot!LOL
You know, over a period of time, gold will tarnish to green.
That is probably the case with your trophy on this great poem. At least in my opinion it is!
Remember the Trailways buses as well?
Be good C!
John
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Thanks for taking me along for the interesting ride out West... I'd like to thank you for taking the time to enter my contest, 'Images From Around the World' with your beautifully thought-provoking poetry. The imagery of forlorn goodbyes was perfect for this piece! Judging will be done soon, and I wish the best of luck to you!! Thanks again, and have a great day!!! Take care, Cyn 
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Whoa!
This is a very cool poem!!!! Best of luck in this contest!
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this is my favorite kind of poetry to read. the small stories we can identify with so closely, the feelings of being right there...right there in that bus depot. To me, it is magic, pure and simple, and you, dear Poet, the magician. Love, Lane
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