Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, COMMUTERS, by ADELE M. RYERSON


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

COMMUTERS, by                    
First Line: They faintly smile or weakly grin
Last Line: "of knowing they have to return on the ""5:15"" train."
Subject(s): Commuters; Fate; Railroads; Travel; Destiny; Railways; Trains; Journeys; Trips


They faintly smile or weakly grin
To fellowmen who are riding in
On the L. I. train in the morning --
Though they can scarcely keep from yawning.

They speak in monosyllables, "No,"
Or "Yes," as on they weary go
Past the same old dull scenes --
Complaining they'd retire if they had the means.

A game of bridge keeps some awake;
Some read the paper; while others take
A peek at their neighbor's news;
Some look grouchy or with the "blues."

The miles expand as the train moves on,
And someone says with an awful groan,
"Three more stations? It seems like eight."
And all bemoan their commuter's fate.

Especially in the summer the way is long;
And crowded the trains; and everything wrong.
Everyone perspires, and looks heavy-eyed,
And wishes for the end of a dull train ride.

The tunnel is reached, and a few
Commuters walk to the door. (They do
This so that they can rush out
Before the mob gets up and pushes about.)

At last, at last, comes their destination.
"New York City. Pennsylvania Station."
The people lunge forth like an elephant herd,
And many's the "Excuse it, please," or some cussword.

And thus the summer commuters find
A hot dirty city, without a wind.
They walk on hot pavements with the pain
Of knowing they have to return on the "5:15" train.





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