Over The Rear Wheels (from Riding The Greyhound)

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jwesley
Member Rara Avis

since 2000-04-30

Posts 7563
Spring, Texas

0 posted 2012-10-07 09:43 PM

Over The Rear Wheels
(from Riding The Greyhound)

I often sat just over the rear wheels.
The tire hum helped me sleep,
and when I didn't sleep,
it helped pass the time,
like listening to a Gregorian Chant,
or a southwest Indian plaintive
to his ancestors.

And it kept the volume down.

Of the others,
those inside big grey dog with me,
the ones I often tried to ignore -
I had my own daemons vying for attention -
I didn't need theirs, or their sympathy,
or so I tried to tell myself.

But I was a sucker.
All it took was blue eyes,
or a smile, or that glistening wetness
running down a cheek.
Eyes, in particular,
any color,
especially with tears.

Old ladies ripped my heart out.

They were my mother,
or surrogates thereof,
and they seemed so alone,
needing someone to just listen,
like I'm sure my mother felt,
knowing grey dog had me in it's grasp,
and I was somewhere,
some road, some town,
god-knows, who with.

Yeah, over the rear wheels
was a good place to sit
and listen to monks, and indians,
and my head . . .humm-m-mmmm.

©wesley james beard, jr.
september 30, 2012

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

1 posted 2012-10-07 09:50 PM

What ever made the ride easiest, we all had our favorite padded comfort seats, that's for sure. It usually was according to who was sitting in them or at maybe who was sitting across the aisle.

~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways. ~*~

BluesSerenade
Member Patricius

since 2001-10-23

Posts 10549
By the Seaside

2 posted 2012-10-08 05:56 PM

Thanks for sharing these memories, I also took the greyhound several times in my youth, you capture the walks of life that ride along, as well as the expressions on their faces and your own.

Timeless memories for sure!

Richy
Member Elite

since 2003-05-03

Posts 3050

3 posted 2012-10-08 07:30 PM

i am soo totally hooked on this series of yours Wes.. geez louise i have really become such a big fan of your writing style with these pieces.. such a calm and down to earth style that just suits me to the core..

you're the every poet my friend..

way to represent us real folk buddy..

put this into a book and ill be the first to buy it

jwesley
Member Rara Avis

since 2000-04-30

Posts 7563
Spring, Texas

4 posted 2012-10-08 09:54 PM

Jerry, I bounced around in seats and don't know that I had a real favorite. I did like sitting right up front on the right side watching the road come at me ... of course seating not always a choice depending on if you boarded a "continuing" ride or not.

Thanks for being there...

j.

jwesley
Member Rara Avis

since 2000-04-30

Posts 7563
Spring, Texas

5 posted 2012-10-08 09:57 PM

Blues, always love seeing you here ... would have been fun to run into you. Thanks for visiting.

j.

jwesley
Member Rara Avis

since 2000-04-30

Posts 7563
Spring, Texas

6 posted 2012-10-08 10:19 PM

Richy, Wow man, awesome of you to say that! I sincerely appreciate it.

Again, thank you for your comments, and your reading.

j.

[This message has been edited by jwesley (10-08-2012 11:55 PM).]

JL
Member Ascendant

since 2004-04-01

Posts 6128
Texas, USA

7 posted 2012-10-09 10:01 PM

Always enjoy reading about your escapades
on the Greyhound.

Enjoyed, j.

JL

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself.
Maranatha!

VAS
Member Rara Avis

since 2000-11-16

Posts 7450
Oregon

8 posted 2012-10-09 10:45 PM

I loved the line, "inside the big gray dog"

Whether on the shoal or on the shore,
I'll seek the lighthouse evermore.

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