Waiting for the Train

From under the overhang
of the space-age dome
of the Millbrae BART station

which some days seems so ordinary
so every day
so normal
but today seems like
something out of a science fiction novel

From under that overhang
I sit here

listening for the screeching
of the train
and hearing only the rattle
of the escalator, the whirring
of the air vents, the whine
of the lights, and the chattering
of the voices behind me.

The clouds continue their
majestic march
across the sky as I sit here,
waiting for the 7:54 southbound
that is just arriving.

Barting to my last day at work

I sit here
watching a year of frozen moments
every day the same
every day unique.

The abuelita sitting sideways
is knitting a story about
the young couple caressing
in the middle seats.

There is a girl looking sad
just like every day
one more soul pondering
what has been lost.

Today is like every day
lasting forever
yet ending before I
know it has begun.

Like life, like love,
like working in Berkeley.

Tonglen on the BART

Looking at you
pregnant lady on the BART
your features etched
with sadness
I feel your pain
as if it were mine
and wish
as I have so often wished
That I were a little braver.

Brave enough to say aloud to you
"Whatever saddens you,
I hope it is better soon".

Such simple words
but I cannot say them
so instead I sit here
in the corner
breathing in your suffering
and breathing out peace.

I doubt it really helps you
but I pray it might.