“End of the Day Subway”

“End of the Day Subway”

End of the day subway
everyone’s heads back, eyes closed
noses tilted up and breathing slowly.
Hands folded, carefully clutching a bag or book —
such solemn exhaustion.
The rattle of the car is absorbed by the body
the face is regal, statuesque and still.
No one speaks out of respect for the work-weary,
so when the voice says to ​let customers off the train first,​
the lids just lift like so —
so that they can peek to see the stop.
And the approaching passengers bow to the royalty disembarking,
steady with purpose, and slow.
Waking and walking into the night,
as if into a new world.