Suffocation

The man at the front shouts out
a random burst of incoherence
perhaps a stroke of the divine?
more than likely something like
helpful instructions to the driver

My head is in my hands

The woman at the back harangues
some unfortunate cellphone caller
perhaps some belligerent salesman?
more than likely something like
the downtrodden man in her life

I try to tune it out

The young boys on the other side
play their obnoxious urban music
perhaps some artistic revolution?
more than likely something like
cheap drum fills and angry words

I want to block my ears

The girl just there she nods her head
a kind of rocking deep compulsion
perhaps she’s writing rhythmic poems?
more than likely something like
a habit to keep the voices muffled

And this bus smells like bleach