How Many Stops?

“Do you ever wonder
about past lives,” she asked
to no one in particular?

Seems I can’t get away
from them—somehow
together on this same bus—

The woman with a cat
hiding in her oversized purse
always on the way to her mother’s funeral.

The man in striped overalls
clutching an empty toolbox in his lap
refuses to move over for anyone.

The child holding a teddy bear
missing its eyes and only one ear
who goes forth every day.

The driver in his pressed blue uniform
let’s us off one by one
each surprised to recognize when it’s our stop.

May 2021.

Photo by Tony T on unsplash.