Riding The Greyhound - West of Houston, Tx. (from Boyhood Tales)

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Open Poetry #12

Riding The Greyhound - West of Houston, Tx. (from Boyhood Tales)

jwesley
Member Rara Avis

since 2000-04-30

Posts 7563
Spring, Texas

0 posted 2001-03-11 10:34 AM

Riding The Greyhound - West of Houston, Tx.
(from Boyhood Tales)

Rode the Gray Dog down Interstate 10 today,
between Houston and wherever Gray Dog wanted to run.
Lay my seat back, rested my head on the window
and watched the dashes on the road below, fly by.
Tuned out the guy beside me wanting to talk,
his slightly alcoholic breath polluting the air;
word swapping wasn't on my agenda right now,
the only company I wanted
was the hum of Gray Dogs tires chewing up highway,
putting miles between you and me.
Lay my head back in the seat,
pinned my eyes on the clouds hanging in the sky,
squinted, shook my head, knew I was gonna have to listen:
'C'mon, man, ya just gotta listen,' slurred alcohol breathe,
'I really need help.'
Yeah, help I thought. A total fluid flush and a week in a tub.
I glanced at his unshaven, sort of splotchy face,
his rummy eyes, and unkempt hair. What a lush.
'Yeah, well, I'm really companied out', I mumbled, 'but I guess
I've a couple minutes.'
'Man, I don't want your ears,' he gushed, breathing heavily,
'I need my insulin, from the baggage compartment,
before I pass out!'
It took a minute before the bells and whistles went off
but I finally got Gray Dog to stop, helped the driver
get the right bag, and watched him give the guy his shot.
Later, with Gray Dog tearing down the road again,
the rummy asleep beside me,
my eyes watching the white stripes fly by,
I felt a touch on my arm…
'Thanks,' he whispered, 'that's closer than I like to get.'

© February 2001
w. james beard, jr.

Kit McCallum

Administrator

Member Laureate

since 2000-04-30

Posts 14774
Ontario, Canada

1 posted 2001-03-11 10:37 AM

Ah yes James ... it's times like this that help us to keep our perspective. You wove the tale well, nicely written!

Best wishes,
/Kit

Joyce Johnson

Member Rara Avis

since 2001-03-10

Posts 9912
Washington State

2 posted 2001-03-11 10:58 AM

Nice little surprise you gave us. Good story.

suthern

Member Seraphic

since 1999-07-29

Posts 20723
Louisiana

3 posted 2001-03-12 02:40 PM

Anytime I see one of your Boyhood Tales, I know I'm in for a treat. *S* This is great... I liked it very much!

Panne
Junior Member

since 2001-01-31

Posts 15
South TX, USA

4 posted 2001-03-13 03:19 PM

J,
I loved this. Great story. I have missed your work. Excited Smiles, Panne

SpitFire
Member Elite

since 2000-04-19

Posts 2396

5 posted 2001-03-17 05:30 PM

~J,...I love these tales. Always have. Thank you for sharing them all. You manage to leave me with things, it's great. *Peace you.

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