Lady on the Bus

She talked about different summer hats

she couldn’t wait to see her brother in Wisconsin

“I’m worried I’ll miss my train”

It was a five minute ride to the station

her train was leaving in 30 minutes

“You’ll be fine” I said

“My name’s Lisa”

she extended her hand

she had aged terribly

A Seventh-day Adventist
A meth-head

“Steve”

we shook

I imagined I was cupping the breasts of a beautiful Czech lady

“God I’m really worried” she said

She had thick glasses

She had a brother in Wisconsin

the Czech girl smiled

then left

© 2009 Lee Kitzis

For Dan, Lindsey, and Brian

The pretty Hungarian girls bundled up at Hollywood Grill
the Czech bars are empty
and the hostels dark

I’ve got work tomorrow

‘cus poetry only pays the printer

but I have my friends
and my pinto beans

so that counts for something

but not much

since this is a short poem

and I forgot to buy tortillas

© 2008 Lee Kitzis