having lived in New York
most of my life
I have formed a strong opinion
about subways

subways are filled
with armies of ant-people
fussing about
needing to be somewhere
fast!
and not a word comes out of them
not a moment for a word

back and forth they travel
every day
busy little ants
living busy little lives
and not a single word escapes their lips
while they sit next to each other
riding the trains together
with nothing to say

as they arrive at their stop
the doors open
releasing them from their silent pact

at the end of their day
as they once again find themselves
in the subways
they race for a seat
the strongest and fastest sit first
the meek and the old hope for a gentle soul
to offer their seat in exchange for a bit less guilt

I wonder if any of them truly understand
how their silence
speaks so unapologetically
for them
and that time
mixed with the company of others
is the grandest ride of all

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