bus ride
there is a boy, drunk on the bus, he must be 9, possibly 10, long limbed with a shaved head and large eyes. ADHD, one woman murmurs in denial. but i am so close i can smell it on his breath. his eyes are bright and blue like a cloudless sky. he stands in the aisle, dancing awkwardly to a beat the bus creates by hitting bumps and curves in the road. he shouts out wordlessly and falls and falls. come here, i say softly and so he does, a small child upon my breasts, amongst my arms and soothing voice. quiet now, shh darling. he is frightened rabbit and i hold him tight so that nothing will get to him. settle.