Private Lives I
the elevated train, Chicago, Illinois
why do these chairs
have to face
each other?
They say Americans
need their space
need their privacy
and here I sit
briefcase in lap
while he sits right
across from me
staring
I can’t look I can’t
he has to see
my eyes darting
my tension
my privacy
in the edge of my vision
I see his dirty clothes
his dirty hair
dirty mind
will he watch me
get off
note the stop I take
watch me walk too