Between Buses

Between Buses

I notice the stores nearby,

I move up to the pawn shop window.

A photograph, faded with time,

Surrounded by a tarnished silver frame.

A pair of binoculars with a warn leather                              strap.

A sword from some forgotten war.

A pair of baby shoes, bronzed, but dull with age.

A pocket watch with the inscription

"George, Love forever,

Margie", almost rubbed off.

A man rushes by, jostling my thoughts

"Hey, why don't you watch...", I

start to say.

Head down, he enters the store.

I look at him and want to grab him saying,

"Don't go selling pieces of your heart

Because your stomach's empty."

I would have said it,

But it was time for my bus.

-Randy Allgaier

1989